Body of missing 19-year-old man recovered from river near Hope, B.C.

Members of Hope Search and Rescue's swiftwater team wade into the waters at the Othello Tunnels to mount a rescue operation in 2024. (Facebook/Hope Search and Rescue)

The body of a 19-year-old man who fell into a fast-flowing river near Hope, B.C., and drowned nearly two months ago has been recovered.

Mounties were notified Wednesday morning that a body had been found in the Coquihalla River near the Othello Tunnels where the man was last seen on July 26.

A statement from the Hope RCMP says officers attended the scene along with volunteers with Hope Search and Rescue and recovered the body.

The deceased was confirmed to be the same man who fell into the fast-moving river lined by steep terrain nearly eight weeks earlier, police said.

“We hope this recovery brings some measure of closure to the loved ones of the deceased,” Staff-Sgt. Mike Sargent said in the statement Thursday.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends during this difficult time.”

The Othello Tunnels area of Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park was closed for several days after the man’s disappearance while search-and-rescue crews worked to locate him.

The man entered the water shortly after 6:15 p.m., according to police, who said a bystander became stranded and had to be rescued by a raft after trying to locate the fallen man.

The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team had searched the area on July 30, while Hope Search and Rescue deployed aerial drones and personnel on the shoreline but were unable to find the young man’s body.

“We are deeply grateful to the search-and-rescue volunteers, the friends and family of the individual and BC Parks for their support and tireless efforts throughout the recovery process,” Sargent said.