Image credit: Facebook/Vernon Search and Rescue

By Liam Verster-Vernon Matters

MISSING SINCE MONDAY

Boaters asked to steer clear of ongoing searches for missing men near Vernon

Jul 29, 2023 | 2:52 PM

VERNON, B.C. — Vernon Search and Rescue (VSAR) will be searching the two area lakes for men who went missing during Monday’s storm, and are asking others on the lake to give them space.

Vernon RCMP stated on the morning of Friday, July 28, that VSAR crews would be searching Okanagan and Kalamalaka Lakes at various times over the next several days in search of missing boaters.

At around 11 p.m. Monday, July 24, a fishing vessel capsized on Okanagan Lake near Ellison Park and the captain never resurfaced.

At the same time, a kayaker, later identified as 26 year old Eli Buruca, went missing while out on Kalamalka Lake. Police belive he drowned.

In a social media post Friday, VSAR stated they will continue the search efforts for the two men and would be using underwater equipment for their operations.

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The search and rescuers ask boaters to stay about 300 metres away from the search vessels during the operations.

No criminality is suspected in either of these cases, though the RCMP is keeping missing person cases open for both incidents.

The recovery of the fishing boat has been handed over to other agencies.