Castlegar RCMP say a missing man, who is believed to have been swept away in the Columbia River, may have drowned.
Officers were called after multiple reports of a lone man in distress in the Columbia River on June 21 around 9:30 p.m., according to a news release from Castlegar RCMP Tuesday (June 23).
Police said witness reported seeing a man being carried downstream by current.
A backpack, believed to belong to the man, was later found along the shoreline.
Castlegar Search and Rescue, Columbia Search and Rescue and local fire departments searched the area using boats and drones. However, they haven’t yet been able to locate him.
Castlegar Sgt. Monty Taylor said the man has been “tentatively identified,” but police won’t be releasing that information until he is found.
“While we remain hopeful that he may be found safely, there is an unfortunately high likelihood that he has drowned.”
Anyone with information that may help to find the man is asked to contact Castlegar RCMP at 250-365‑7721.