Second day of search for missing diver continues Sunday

UPDATE: 6:30 p.m.

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue manager Duane Tresnich says the search for the missing diver has been suspended for the night.

A 52-year-old man went diving with three others Saturday afternoon along the William R. Bennett Bridge in Kelowna, a short time after three divers resurfaced and the 52-year-old did not.

At this time it's unclear why the search has been suspended.

Tresnich says the search will continue tomorrow.

Boaters are reminded to stay away from the search area.

Castanet has reached out to the RCMP for more details.

UPDATE: 3:50 p.m.

The search continues for a missing diver in Okanagan Lake.

Emergency crews were called to the east side of the William R. Bennett Bridge in Kelowna Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. for a possible drowning, after a recreational diver in the lake never resurfaced.

The Kelowna Fire Department, Central Okanagan Search and Rescue and the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team are still searching for the 52-year-old man.

“Today we have had our boat out there. We have been using our side scanner and using the underwater camera in areas we think he could be to see if we can find him," said search manager Duane Tresnich.

Tresnich says the diver was with three others.

“Apparently the current underneath there was a little strong and so they did get separated. Three came up and he did not. So there is a possibility that he has been washed out a little bit further away from the bridge than we anticipated.”

Nine COSAR members are currently searching the waters as well as the regional rescue fireboat with the Kelowna fire department and the RCMP dive team.

The RCMP has asked the public to steer clear of the search area to give searchers space.

ORIGINAL 9:30 a.m.

The search for a missing diver in Okanagan Lake continues Sunday morning.

Emergency Crews were called to the east side of the William R. Bennett Bridge in Kelowna Saturday afternoon just before 3 p.m. for a possible drowning, after a recreational diver in the lake never resurfaced.

The Kelowna Fire Department, Central Okanagan Search and Rescue and the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team searched the area Saturday afternoon, but were unable to find the 52-year-old man.

Twenty-two COSAR volunteers searched until 11:30 p.m. Saturday night and they were back on the water at 6:30 a.m. Sunday.

“We conducted extensive shoreline searches yesterday using bikes and foot teams,” said COSAR's Ed Henczel.

“On the water we had two kayak teams and our 30-foot landing craft which we used to extensively search the area near the bridge.”

The RCMP has asked the public to steer clear of the search area to give searchers space.