Two people have died, and one remains missing after a boat incident in the Squamish Valley on Thursday afternoon, according to Squamish RCMP. Police said all other individuals involved have been accounted for.
Squamish RCMP said officers responded to the incident at approximately 1:52 p.m. on November 12. Police said multiple individuals were involved, but have not released the total number of people, the exact location, or the circumstances of the incident.
According to police, elevated water levels and challenging weather conditions made search, rescue and recovery efforts on Thursday extremely difficult and unsafe for emergency responders. As a result, police said, those operations are continuing Friday.
Police described the response as time-sensitive and complex. Squamish RCMP said it has enlisted Squamish Search and Rescue, RCMP Air Services, the Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team, the Lower Mainland District Underwater Recovery Team, and West Coast Marine Services.
“The weather and river conditions have played a significant role in the response efforts,” said Cpl. Ashley MacKay of the Squamish RCMP. “This is a very dynamic and evolving incident, and the safety of responders and the public remains paramount.”
“Weather patterns, water levels, and river conditions can change rapidly, and those factors are being continuously assessed as search and recovery efforts continue,” MacKay added. “We are asking the public to stay off the water at this time due to dangerous flow rates and debris throughout the river systems.”
Police said no further information will be released at this time.
