North Vancouver RCMP is urging caution after a man was swept away in Capilano River while fishing with his friends near Cable Pool.
RCMP are reminding the public to always wear a life jacket when fishing in local rivers or while boating.
Sgt. Peter DeVries of North Vancouver RCMP says the local rivers could be dangerous as they are subject to significant fluctuations in flow rate due to regular local weather events such as a heavy rain or a warm day.
“The beauty can be a bit disarming,” he said. “Those rivers are much more powerful than they look.”
The accident happened yesterday, October 27, when one of the men tried to cross the river. When the man lost his footing, one of his friends went in after him but was unable to reach him.
The man was swept out of view. Front-line officers and North Vancouver District Fire Rescue Service members were able to locate the man downstream a short while later. He was extracted from the water in medical distress and was brought to St. Paul’s hospital where he later died. BC Coroner’s Service and RCMP are now investigating the incident.
“It’s just such a heartbreaking thing,” says Sgt. DeVries. “It was a beautiful sunny day today. The salmon are running. It was a perfect day to spend on the river with your fishing buddies. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
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