Emergency crews search the South Saskatchewan River near Strathcona Island Park Saturday following the report of a missing person. The remains of a 31-year-old male who had been swept away into the river were recovered Sunday morning.--NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@mocranker
Medicine Hat Fire Service and South East Alberta Search and Rescue have located the remains of a 31-year-old male who was reportedly swept away by the South Saskatchewan River on Saturday.
A release from Medicine Hat Police Service says the remains were located by fire service crews at around 11:15 a.m. Sunday morning. The search began Saturday shortly after 5:30 p.m. when emergency services were called to the river in the area of Finlay Bridge, but the man was not recovered by darkness. The search then resumed early Sunday morning.
Fire Service on-duty platoon chief Tom Coffey says the search got to work quickly.
“We received a call that someone was having trouble in the river in the evening and we sent out a search right away,” he said. “The guys dove Saturday until dark but had to suspend the operation because of the dark.
“This morning, around 9 a.m. we started up where we left off. Around 11:15 a.m. one of our divers came in contact with the victim in the water.”
The man was swimming in the river when his group lost sight of him. Coffey says the river may look calm, but it is not.
“The shifting currents in the river make it an anomaly for people trying to swim in it,” he said. “It’s got currents in it and they’re ever-changing – it’s a lot more than it seems to be.
“It looks calm on the surface, but it is not.”
The release adds that foul play, alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors in the incident, however MHPS has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the individual.
“This is a normal function of the police and their duties as investigators on behalf of the Office of the Medical Examiner,” reads the release. “The Medicine Hat Police Service Victim Assistance Unit is supporting the family with ongoing support during the grief process.”
Coffey says wearing a life jacket is key to safety in the river.
“No matter how comfortable you are in the water or how comfortable you feel on a float tube, anything can happen to put you into the water,” he said. “The current is a challenge even for the best of swimmers.
“A life jacket can save a life in that sort of position. We always urge people to wear them.”
Fire, police, South East Alberta Search and Rescue and HALO Air Ambulance all contributed to the search and recovery.
MHPS will not be releasing the name of the deceased.
