Extreme water hazards are hampering what has become a North Okanagan missing person investigation.
Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP officers were called Saturday at 8:05 p.m. to the area of the Shuswap River bridge on Mabel Lake Road near Lumby.
“A witness told our officers a pick-up drove off the road and went into the Shuswap River,” said RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk. “The witness didn’t see anyone get out of the vehicle that was completely submerged.”
Vernon Search and Rescue officials were called out to assist in the attempts to find the vehicle.
One of their members was lowered down to the water and did some probing and felt they located something metallic in the water.
“The water conditions are far too dangerous at this time to send divers into the water in attempts to recover the vehicle and confirm if anyone is inside,” said Molendyk.
Police have information that the registered owner of the vehicle is a man from the Lumby area. As of Monday morning, police had not been able to locate the owner, and his family had been advised of the situation.
“We do not know if the owner was in the vehicle or not, or if there is more than one person in the truck,” said Molendyk.
“Currently, the file remains active and the registered owner is recorded as a missing person. Our office has made efforts to speak to family members and advise them of the situation.”
Police are not releasing the name of the registered own at this time.
