Search has been suspended for a woman who was swept away in the Mamquam River.
At approximately 4 pm, Sunday, March 17, 2024, Squamish RCMP responded to a call for service for a swimmer in distress who had been caught in the current in the Mamquam River. A female in her 30s was with friends when she entered the Mamquam River, just west of the Powerhouse Bridge, on Sunday afternoon. Moments later, her friends heard a yell for help and saw the female getting swept down the river.
Squamish RCMP, along with partner agencies, Squamish Search and Rescue, North Shore Search and Rescue, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, Squamish Fire, and BC Ambulance Service were involved in search efforts over the past 24 hours. Extensive searches of the areas were conducted, including ground, marine, kayaks, helicopters, and drones. The area in which the female was last seen is surrounded by deep ravines with canyons, and difficult terrain.
“Squamish SAR was called out yesterday afternoon at approximately 4:15 pm. Several teams entered the area including swift-water, rope, and ground team. The complex terrain was searched by air, both by helicopter and drone. Squamish SAR could search until 11 pm last night with support from North Shore Rescue and Marine SAR. The search began again at first light this morning with air, ground and water resources being deployed.” says Squamish SAR manager Cindy Welsh.
Due to difficult terrain, and heavy currents, the search has been suspended as of 4:00 pm today. RCMP and SAR are in touch with the family and request privacy now. “We ask if anyone, who is in the area who sees anything in the river or along the riverbanks, or has any additional information to contact the RCMP immediately” says Sgt. Dallas Langley of the Squamish RCMP.
