A Langley man is dead after drowning in the Vedder River in Chilliwack on Saturday.
The incident happened around 7:40 a.m. on Oct. 25 near Vedder River Campground and the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve.
BC Ambulance Service, the Chilliwack Fire Department, Chilliwack Search and Rescue, and RCMP were all on scene, and SAR deployed drones, a boat and launched a helicopter.
Witnesses on scene reported seeing the man across from the campground. He appeared to be trying to cross the water, and based on his clothing, he was believed to be fishing, said Sgt. Alexandra Mulvihill with Chilliwack RCMP.
Around 10 a.m. it was reported that crews had “retrieved the patient” according to talk on the emergency scanner. He was found in the water by the rail bridge.
“He was confirmed deceased and brought to shore,” Mulvihill said.
He was a 41-year-old man from Langley, and officers are conducting the next of kin.
“Chilliwack RCMP would like to remind everyone that it has been raining extremely heavily and river and lake levels may not be as expected and can change rapidly. Please consult the appropriate websites for the area you are going to be in for the latest information,” Mulvihill added.