In the story ‘Man missing after truck found in Morice River’ published in the Lakes District News‘ July 8 edition, http://www.ldnews.net/news/312237811.html?c=n, a 46-year-old man, believed to be from Burns Lake, was missing after the truck he was driving left the roadway and rolled down an embankment into the Morice River.
The crash occurred 23 km up the Morice River Road on June 30, 2015, close to 3 a.m.
On July 9 at 7:30 p.m., a search and rescue (SAR) team set out on a water only search downstream from where the vehicle had entered the river. At 9:01 p.m., the Houston RCMP were advised by SAR that they had located a body half a kilometer down the river from where the vehicle entered the water.
Police believe it to be the missing driver of the rollover accident, but are working in partnership with the B.C. Coroner’s Service to make a positive identification.
A female was also inside the truck that entered the Morice River. She was found sitting in the window of the floating truck by a passerby a couple of hours after the accident. After calling 911, locals threw a rope to the stranded female and pulled her to shore. The woman was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Police have not released any names at this time. Corporal Dave Tyreman, Spokesperson for the RCMP, said alcohol is considered to be factor.
Search was conducted for the missing driver by both the Houston and the Smithers SAR teams. Bulkley Valley Search and Rescue from Smithers brought in two jet boats and two inflatable kayaks for the search. Search manager Whitney Numan said 14 to 17 SAR volunteers were assisting with the search, including water technicians, boat drivers and ground searchers.
Houston police and a Prince George traffic analyst are still investigating the cause of the accident.
