NEW DENVER, B.C. - The mayor of the Village of New Denver, B.C., says everyone in the tiny West Kootenay community has stepped up and taken a role during the 10-day search for three youths.
Mayor Ann Bunka says New Denver residents roll up their sleeves and get it done during the best of times and the worst of times, adding it is a source of pride and comfort to be part of the community.
Her comments come at the end of the official search for 15-year-old Jule Wiltshire-Padfield, 19-year-old Skye Donnet and 21-year-old Hayden Kyle, who vanished after their canoe flipped in Slocan Lake on May 10, tossing them into the icy water.
A fourth person, 19-year-old Lily Harmer-Taylor, was found in the half-submerged canoe a short time after the accident but could not be revived.
Bunka has thanked the many people and agencies who assisted during the 10-day search, which was called off last night without finding any trace of the trio.
RCMP Sgt. Darryl Little says the extreme depth of Slocan Lake, which plunges to more than 100 metres within a few paddle-strokes of the shore, is the main reason why the search was unsuccessful.
