UPDATE: Kamloops police officers searching Thompson River after man swept away

Kamloops RCMP officers are searching the Thompson River this morning after a man was swept away in the current.

Witnesses reported a heavy police presence on the river and in the air July 31 and a section of McArthur Island Park next to the river has been taped off.

According to RCMP watch commander Kelly Butler, last night at roughly 5:30 p.m., police received a report of a missing man on the river near the park.

Witnesses told police the man entered the river and was swept away by the current and did not resurface. Civilians attempted to assist but were unable to reach him and several boats in the area also responded but were also unable to find him.

An extensive search was conducted by Kamloops Fire and Rescue along with the RCMP and now the RCMP underwater recovery team is assisting to find him, Butler said in a press release.

– This story was updated at 11:15 a.m. to include a comment from the RCMP.

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