UPDATE: ‘Hazardous’ BC river conditions preventing recovery of missing vehicle and occupant

(UPDATE: June 16 @ 11:45 pm) – A vehicle and one of its occupants remain missing after driving into a BC river, and a recovery is not possible at this time due to the spring runoff.

In an update from the RCMP, police stated that they continue to investigate a single-vehicle collision that sent a car into the Squamish River on Saturday and believe that the missing passenger did not escape the vehicle.

“Search and Rescue teams have conducted both aerial and ground searches along the water and shoreline, but the vehicle and missing occupant have not yet been located,” wrote the RCMP.

“The river in this area is exceptionally deep and fast-flowing due to spring runoff, making conditions hazardous.”

The Squamish RCMP said that it has been in contact with the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team, but due to current water levels and the unknown location of the vehicle, a recovery is not possible at this time.

“Police will continue to monitor conditions and reassess recovery efforts as water levels begin to recede and visibility improves,” added the RCMP.

“The investigation into the collision is ongoing, with investigators working to determine the contributing factors surrounding the incident.”

(Original story: June 15 @ 3:15 pm) – A person and a car are missing after the vehicle went off the road and into a BC river on Saturday.

According to the RCMP, emergency crews responded to a single-vehicle collision at 5 am on June 14 after a vehicle with four occupants went into the Squamish River.

Three of the passengers were able to get to safety, but one was unaccounted for.

“RCMP, the fire department, along with search and rescue personnel, all attempted to locate both the vehicle and the unaccounted passenger; however, as of June 15, (they) have been unable to locate either,” reads an RCMP release.

Police added that search and rescue crews are continuing to search for the missing individual and further details may be released in the future.