Drone operators help police find drowning victim in South Thompson River

Photo: Castanet Staff

Drone operators helped police locate the body of a man who drowned Sunday in the South Thompson River near Chase.

According to an RCMP news release, police received a report of a man missing on the river at about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

“The male was kayaking when he fell into the river,” Chase RCMP Sgt. Barry Kennedy said.

“An extensive search was conducted throughout the evening by Shuswap Search and Rescue, the Adams Lake Fire Department and community members.”

Kennedy said the search continued on Monday with the help of an RCMP helicopter, Parks Canada workers and several drone operators.

“Mid-afternoon, drone operators captured images of a body in approximately 10 feet of water,” he said.

“Search and rescue conducted the recovery.”

Kennedy said the body was located about two kilometres west of Chase.

Investigators do not suspect foul play was involved in the man’s death.