A 48-year-old man is dead after his solo kayaking trip on North Vancouver’s Capilano River turned fatal yesterday.
According to North Vancouver RCMP, the man was seen entering the river alone with his kayak, near the Capilano Fish Hatchery, around 3 pm on January 29.
Minutes later, he was seen downstream, in distress, and separated from his boat.
Emergency crews were called and a “significant” search effort was undertaken in an attempt to locate and rescue him.
About two hours after the search began, the victim’s kayak was found at the mouth of the Capilano River.
Around sunset, crews found the man’s body under a log jam.
However, “diminishing light, extreme high water levels and a fast running river made recovery too risky and unsafe,” said police.
Rescuers returned to the scene Tuesday morning and the man’s body was pulled from the river at 7:30 am.
The death comes in the wake of a warning by North Shore Rescue advising hikers to be aware of fast-flowing river and high water levels.
“This incident ended tragically, taking the life of an outdoor enthusiast,” said North Vancouver RCMP Cpl. Richard De Jong. “Emergency personnel remind everyone at this time of year to be extremely cautious near and on all raging waters.”
BC Coroners Service attended the location of recovery and will continue with any investigation.
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