Search for missing person on hold after vehicle plunges into Squamish River

One person remains missing after a vehicle crashed into the Squamish River early Saturday morning.

The RCMP Squamish reports that around 2:30 a.m. on June 14, first responders were called to the scene of the single-vehicle collision.

Four occupants were sitting in the car at the time of the crash, Mounties say, when it plunged into the Squamish River. Police have not yet shared why or how the vehicle ended up in the river.

While three individuals managed to escape the vehicle, both the vehicle and the missing occupant have not been found.

The Squamish and North Shore Search and Rescue teams have conducted extensive aerial and ground searches along the river and shoreline.

However, the police note that the Squamish River, in this particular area, is exceptionally deep and fast-flowing due to spring runoff, creating hazardous conditions.

“Unfortunately, spring flow is very high in the river,” said Const. Kelly Wu with the RCMP Squamish.

“The water levels right now are too high to have the visibility and to be able to recover a vehicle.”

As of Monday afternoon, these conditions have caused the search and rescue efforts to be put on hold temporarily, police say.

“These conditions may be lasting for a little while, and the search efforts will continue as soon as those water conditions are a little bit lower, and it is safer for the crews to go in and do any recovery,” Wu explained.

The investigation into the collision is ongoing, with officers working to determine what led to the incident, Wu adds.

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