More details being learned in jet ski crash

Jul 30, 2018 | 12:17 PM

KAMLOOPS — Update: In light of today’s search, the Kamloops RCMP is asking all boat traffic to refrain from being on the South Thompson River from the Lafarge Bridge to the Valleyview boat launch.

“There is the potential for any watercraft to compromise the diver’s lines attached to their boat,” says Cpl. Jodi Shelkie.

Earlier: The search continues for a man involved in a jet ski collision on the South Thompson River Sunday afternoon.

Police say the crash occurred at around 5:30 p.m. near Valleyview.

“There was two watercraft that were travelling in the same direction on the river and one of them attempted to make what appears to be a U-turn and when he turned around he hit the other watercraft in a T-bone fashion,” says Kamloops RCMP Cpl. Jodi Shelkie.

“Both drivers of the watercraft went under. Only one of the drivers emerged from the river and the other one hasn’t been seen since.”

She says an extensive search was launched last night and notes it’s continued today with help from the Kamloops RCMP boat, Kamloops Air Services and a dive team.

Shelkie adds crews haven’t given up hope on finding the missing person alive.

“It’s early on. He was wearing a life jacket but it had to be manually deployed. No witnesses can say if it was deployed or not. So, that’s a big determiner if we’re searching for him or his body.”

She couldn’t confirm the health status of the other person involved but believes that person is “okay.”