A search-and-rescue mission has become a body recovery after a person went in the water Monday evening near Teskey Rock upriver from the Vedder Bridge in the Chilliwack River Valley.
There were reports of a group of people jumping off the popular spot on the north side of the river just a few hundred metres from the roundabout on Vedder, but one male did not surface after jumping.
RCMP and Chilliwack Search and Rescue (CSAR) crews were in the area looking Monday afternoon, but after several hours and the onset of darkness, the CSAR crews pulled out.
There are no official details yet made public, but an RCMP dive team may be dispatched to the scene Tuesday for recovery efforts.
Drownings in the Chilliwack/Vedder river system are not uncommon in nice weather.
• READ MORE: VIDEO: Near drowning captured on Vedder River in Chilliwack
• READ MORE: 44 drownings so far this year in B.C. – 2018
This past weekend, despite continued orders from public health officials for people to remain home if possible and avoid large gatherings, the Chilliwack River Valley was packed with those looking to enjoy themselves.
Several people posted images online of packed roadways, more even than on normal summer days, and other posted comments about the gatherings and the incident Monday.
“Honestly doesn’t surprise me unfortunately,” one said. “We drove up not far just to get a few maternity photos last night and it was PACKED. So many people drinking.”
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