Police tape surrounds an area at McArthur Island Park, a day after a man drowned in the Thompson River. A man who was swept away and believed to have drowned in the Thompson River Saturday night was an out-of-town visitor, according to Kamloops RCMP. Sgt. Kelly Butler said police believe the man was from Vernon. Speaking to Castanet Sunday afternoon, Butler said officials continued to search for the missing person. “We’ve got Air 4 up today, we’ve got the RCMP boat on the water,” Butler said. He said divers with the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team also attended to help with the search. According to police, officers received a report of a missing man in the Thompson River – near McArthur Island Park – around 5:30 Saturday afternoon. “Witnesses report that the male entered the river and was swept away by the current and did not resurface,” the police statement said. “Citizens attempted to assist him but were unable to reach him and several vessels in the area also responded but were unable to locate the man.” Nick Smith said he was sitting behind the football field 6 on McArthur Island when he heard two children running from the river bank screaming for help as someone was drowning. “I went right past them in the river and saw two men already swimming, looking for the missing man,” Smith said in a text message to Castanet Kamloops. Smith said he ran back to his picnic area to call 911. “I gave them my details and heard the fire engine shortly afterwards. I quickly went to the truck to tell them where the man had gone.” According to police, an extensive investigation was conducted by Kamloops Fire Rescue and the RCMP. Smith said he thinks the city should put up fencing and signs to warn the public not to enter the river without a life jacket. “It could have been prevented,” Smith said. In a statement, police said the public should be aware that currents in the river are unpredictable, with many sudden drops along the riverbed. “PFDs also need to be taken care of [personal flotation devices] worn when water is moving,” police said.
