Due to heavy rains over the weekend, Bamfield Road near Port Alberni was washed out, resulting in two missing people being reported to police.
Police say the vehicles belonging to both missing persons were later located submerged in Sarita River off Bamfield Road.
Port Alberni RCMP were able to locate one deceased body nearby one of the submerged vehicles, while they announced the second missing person was presumed to be deceased inside their vehicle.
Due to high water levels and fast-moving currents, emergency services were unable to recover the vehicles or confirm the status of the second missing person.
Two days later, on Monday October 21st, police officially confirmed that the second missing person was deceased inside their vehicle.
Because the water levels remain high, with swift currents, the second vehicle with the deceased body still could not be safely accessed.
“This was a tragic incident and a great loss to two families; our hearts and thoughts are with the families of the victims,” said Sgt. Chet Carroll.
Related:
On Tuesday, October 22nd, RCMP officers are working with Alberni Search and Rescue Squad to coordinate the recovery of the missing person’s remains, as well as both vehicles from Sarita River.
The family of the missing who have been confirmed deceased have been notified, according to Port Alberni RCMP.
