RCMP are warning people to stay away from the Sarita River near Bamfield, B.C., after one person was found dead and another is missing, presumed dead, following weekend flooding on Vancouver Island.
Port Alberni RCMP say the search for two separate missing people near the Vancouver Island community, about 200 kilometres by road northwest of Victoria, began on Saturday evening.
They say the vehicle of one of the missing was found “fully submerged” in the Sarita River on Saturday, with the driver found dead nearby.
The second vehicle was also found in the river and the driver is presumed dead inside.
The news comes following confirmation that a woman whose home was washed away by a mudslide in Coquitlam, B.C., over the weekend was found dead following the weekend’s torrential downfall.
Saturday night washout
Police say the search for the missing started when they received a report of an overdue traveller driving to Victoria from Bamfield was first reported missing at 5:45 p.m. PT, RCMP said.
A second report of a missing traveller, driving to Bamfield from Port Alberni, came at 6:45 p.m. PT. That person’s dog had been found around 1 p.m. near the Sarita River, and the people who found the pet contacted the family of its owner.
RCMP say a helicopter was sent to conduct an aerial search, while Alberni Valley Search and Rescue crews were called in to assist.
At around 9 p.m. PT, a relative of one of the missing found the missing person’s truck “fully submerged” in the Sarita River. The missing driver was found dead a short distance away.
A second vehicle has also been found in the Sarita River, and police say they believe the second missing person is in the vehicle, as well.
RCMP say they are waiting for an opportunity to recover the vehicle, but recovery is being delayed because of ongoing flood risks.
“RCMP are urging people to stay away from the area of Sarita River as water is flowing fast and this portion of the Bamfield Road is susceptible to flooding especially around high tides,” said Const. Beth O’Connor in an emailed media release.
“Also, police want to remind everyone that attempting to cross flooded roadways can be extremely dangerous.”