RCMP have suspended the search for a missing 19-year-old kayaker from Canmore, Alta., who is presumed dead after going over a waterfall on the Cheakamus River on Friday (Sept. 28)
Sgt. Rob Knapton of the Whistler RCMP said on Saturday evening (Sept. 29) the kayaker is still missing and search and rescue operations have been called off.
The kayaker, identified as Peter Thompson, is presumed to have drowned after he went over a waterfall around 5 p.m. on Friday with two friends, who reported him missing after he did not surface.
"When he went over the waterfall he did not surface again," he said. "We called out Search and Rescue and have not located him or his kayak yet, but we did locate the paddle."
The RCMP dive team were in the the area to evaluate the scene on Saturday. Knapton said the biggest issue with the recovery effort is safety for the rescue workers because of the hydraulic pressure of the waterfall on the Cheakamus River.
"We are looking at our options," he said.
