Police confirm death of man swept away by B.C. river

Castlegar, B.C., and the Columbia River are seen in this undated image. (Shutterstock)

A man who went missing after being swept away by the Columbia River in B.C.’s West Kootenay region last month has been found dead, police announced Tuesday.

Castlegar RCMP officers initially received reports of a lone man in distress in the water around 9:30 p.m. on June 21, with witnesses saying he was being carried downstream by the current.

Search and rescue volunteers and firefighters launched an extensive effort to find him but were not successful.

In a brief statement Tuesday, Mounties said the man had been located deceased.

Authorities said the man has been identified and his next-of-kin was notified.

“Castlegar RCMP extends its condolences to the man’s family and friends during this difficult time,” the statement reads.

No further information about the man or the incident was provided by police.

On Monday, officials urged people to wear life jackets and stay safe on the water this summer, after a dramatic spike in drowning deaths compared to last year.

According to the B.C. government, there were 40 accidental drownings in the province between May 1 and July 16, up from 26 during the same period in 2025.