Efforts to retrieve volleyball from Thompson River end in student being swept away

Kamloops Search and Rescue (KSAR) have joined police in the search for a missing man in the Thompson River.

Emergency crews were first called to the scene just east of the Overlander Bridge around 5:15 pm Sunday.

They were told of a possible drowning in the Thompson River involving a group that was playing volleyball along the shore.

“According to the report, a man entered the river to retrieve a volleyball and got caught in the undercurrent,” explained Cpl. Dana Napier.

“Two more men from the group who entered the water to assist were also caught in the current. Two of the initial three were saved while the third appeared to be pulled away and went under the water.”

Police have since identified the missing man as an international student at Thompson Rivers University, but are not releasing his name to the public at this time.

Investigators are currently working with the RCMP’s Foreign Domestic Liaison Unit to contact the man’s family and his identity will be protected until that is done.

KSAR says members are on the water and searching the shores of the Thompson River today. Police continue to search for the missing man as well, with RCMP Air Services assisting those efforts from the sky.

The RCMP is asking the public to remain on the lookout along the shorelines of the river and for anyone who sees a sign of the missing man to contact the Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000.