Missing man believed to have been swept away in Columbia River

June 23, 2026 - Columbia River, British Columbia
From: Castlegar RCMP

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File:  2026-1734

The Castlegar RCMP is searching to locate a missing man who is believed to have been swept away and may have drowned in the Columbia River.

On June 21, 2026, at approximately 9:30 p.m., frontline officers responded to multiple reports of a lone man in distress in the Columbia River. Witnesses reported seeing the man being carried downstream by the current. A backpack believed to belong to the man was later located along the shoreline.

Castlegar Search and Rescue, South Columbia Search and Rescue, and local fire departments attended the scene and conducted extensive search efforts using boats and drones. Despite these efforts, the man has not yet been located and the search remains ongoing.

“The man has been tentatively identified; however, confirmation will not occur until he is located,” said Sergeant Monty Taylor of the Castlegar RCMP. “While we remain hopeful that he may be found safely, there is an unfortunately high likelihood that he has drowned.”

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact the Castlegar RCMP at (250) 365‑7721.

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