A woman is presumed to have drowned after the car she was driving fell into the North Thompson River in Kamloops on Sunday, May 17.
An RCMP press release sent on Monday afternoon details the incident.
According to police, the car left the road near Schubert Drive and Birch Avenue at around 6:21 p.m. on Sunday, going into the river.
A passenger in the car was rescued by three bystanders who jumped into the river to help.
The car entered the water near the intersection of the North and South Thompson Rivers where the water was running high and was fast-moving, police explain.
“Tragically, witnesses at the scene lost sight of the 24-year-old driver as she was carried further down river. The vehicle became submerged.”
Both the passenger, a 21-year-old woman, and one of the bystanders who rescued her were taken to the Royal Inland Hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The scene saw a response from Kamloops RCMP, the BC Ambulance Service, Kamloops Search and Rescue (SAR) and Kamloops Fire and Rescue (KFR).
A rescue boat launched by KFR was in the water shortly after the incident, but they were unable to find the woman, police say. Kamloops SAR searched the area until nightfall.
Search efforts resumed on Monday, with KFR, Kamloops SAR and RCMP Air Services. Those searches have so far proven negative, according to police.
Supt. Jeff Pelley, officer-in-charge of the Kamloops detachment, thanked everyone who contributed to the rescue and search.
“The Kamloops RCMP wishes to recognize the bystanders for their bravery as they attempted to rescue the women despite the fast-moving water. We also want to thank search and rescue efforts by Kamloops SAR, KFR and RCMP Air Services,” he said.
“While the investigation is in the early stages, this appears to be a tragic accident, and we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the woman who is presumed drowned at this time.”
The Kamloops RCMP is still in the process of notifying the woman’s family, police say.
An investigation into the cause of the incident continues. No further details were available as of 4 p.m. Monday.