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Vernon doctor drowned in Thompson River saving his son from strong current

Drowned saving his son

The victim of a drowning in Kamloops July 30 is confirmed as Vernon doctor Michael Mthandazo.

Mthandazo's body has yet to be recovered from the Thompson River.

Police have searched the river with divers, by boat, plane and drone since his disappearance in the river, near McArthur Island.

In a GoFundMe campaign created over the weekend, the family says: "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the search for Dr. Michael Mthandazo continues."

Mthandazo moved to Vernon in January 2021 and served as a family physician at the Mainstreet Medical Building.

He was in Kamloops to play in a recreational soccer tournament.

According to the GoFundMe page, Mthandazo apparently went for a swim with his son but had to rescue the boy from the strong current.

"The current started to speed up, and although he was able to help his son out of the water, he wasn’t able to get out himself," the page states.

"He was unfortunately swept away, and his body has yet to be recovered."

Mthandazo was his family's sole income earner and had no extended family locally.

He leaves his wife, Julia, and two sons, ages 11 and 8 months.

Friends started the fundraising campaign to alleviate some of the family's financial burden.



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