At 1:45 p.m. this afternoon, North Vancouver RCMP responded to calls for assistance at Capilano River. Witnesses reported a large flow of water had come down the river and had swept a number of people downstream.
Numerous emergency services personnel responded to the incident, including RCMP, the I-TEAMS Emergency Response Team, BC Ambulance Service, North Vancouver District Fire Rescue Service, North Shore Search And Rescue, and Air 1 from RCMP Air Services.
A number of anglers had been fishing along the shoreline at the time of the incident. At least five people were pulled into the water, and four people have been rescued or were able to reach shore.
A fifth person was pulled from the water in medical distress, and tragically has now died as a result of his injuries. At this time, North Vancouver RCMP are not releasing the name of the person who died.
It has not yet been determined conclusively that there are no additional victims, and so officers and rescue personnel remain on scene to continue the search until it becomes unsafe to do so.
BC Coroners Service has assumed conduct of the investigation, and RCMP will provide assistance to the coroner's investigation.
Photo courtesy of IStock.