Update: 10:30 a.m.
Constable James Grandy confirms that RCMP divers working on the Okanagan River Channel this morning were on an evidence search that turned out to be unfounded.
On the weekend, a tourist swimming in the Penticton River Channel using a mask and snorkel, thought he observed a handgun at the bottom. The RCMP dive team deployed ended up recovering a replica toy pellet gun.
“It is not believed this item is related to any particular crime,” wrote Grandy in a release. “The investigation is concluded at this time.”
RCMP are scouring the Penticton channel, just past Green Avenue, for “evidence” Monday morning.
Officers on scene could not provide much information, but said they were doing a evidence search for the Penticton detachment. The search is confined to a section of the channel just south of the bridge at Green Avenue.
“It is not looking for a person or anything like that, just an evidence search. That is why we here, that is what we are doing,” says Const. John Fleming with the Southeast District Underwater Recovery Team.
“There is no concern for the public.”
RCMP said the channel remains open to the public while they are conducting their search.
Fleming says the diving team will be on scene for several hours this morning.
RCMP divers at the #Okanagan River Channel said they are getting ready to do an evidence search in the water #Penticton pic.twitter.com/UBS5353OGC
— Kristi Patton (@KristiPatton) July 23, 2018
RCMP divers search this morning is contained to a section of the second half of the channel. Channel remains open to the public to float down today #Penticton pic.twitter.com/ZMfuAOi85a
— Kristi Patton (@KristiPatton) July 23, 2018
More to come.
To report a typo, email:newstips@pentictonwesternnews.com.
@carmenweldcarmen.weld@bpdigital.caLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
