Missing tourist’s body pulled from Banff creek: Parks Canada

Parks Canada officials say they have recovered the body of a man who jumped into frigid, fast-moving waters at a popular tourist site in Banff National Park.

Twenty-five-year-old Pavlo Shemchuk was travelling in Alberta when he jumped off the cliffs at Johnston Canyon and into the Lower Falls on May 1.

When he did not resurface, Parks Canada and RCMP were called in to search for him.

That search was called off a few days later when RCMP declared the incident a fatality and called off search and rescue efforts due to dangerous water conditions.

Shemchuk, who was visiting Alberta from Arizona, was travelling with his cousin and best friend.

READ MORE: Loved ones of man who died at Banff’s Johnston Canyon asking to reopen the search

Parks Canada officials say they responded to a report of a body in the Johnston Creek downstream of the lower pool of the Lower Falls on Tuesday and initiated recovery efforts.

The Johnston Canyon Trail and day-use area were closed to public access.

They say the body was recovered and has been transferred to the RCMP.

“Parks Canada extends its sincere condolences to the individual’s family and loved ones during this time,” Parks said in an email to CTV News.