Woman, 24, presumed drowned, passenger rescued after vehicle plunges into B.C. river

A 24-year-old woman is missing and presumed dead after her vehicle plunged into the North Thompson River.

A 24-year-old woman is missing and presumed drowned after the vehicle she was driving plunged into a river in Kamloops, B.C.

Mounties say the vehicle left the roadway along Schubert Drive, near Birch Avenue, and entered the North Thompson River shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday.

A 21-year-old woman who was a passenger in the vehicle was rescued by three bystanders who jumped into the fast-flowing river to help, according to a statement from the Kamloops RCMP.

“The vehicle entered the water near the intersection of the North and South Thompson Rivers, where the water was running high and was fast-moving,” the statement said.

Witnesses lost sight of the driver as the vehicle was carried down the river and became submerged.

A Kamloops Fire Rescue boat was launched and volunteers with Kamloops Search and Rescue scoured the area for the missing woman until nightfall.

‘Tragic accident’

The search resumed Monday morning and continued into the evening with no sign of the missing woman. Kamloops Search and Rescue said it was deploying swift water rescuers, aerial drones and ground crews to try to locate the woman.

A spokesperson for B.C. Emergency Health Services said several paramedics were dispatched to the scene at 6:17 p.m. Sunday for reports of “a vehicle leaving Schubert Drive at Juniper Street and landing in the adjacent North Thompson River.”

Four ambulances with primary care paramedics and one ambulance with advanced care paramedics responded.

“Paramedics provided medical treatment to two patients—one an occupant of the vehicle and one a passerby helping at the scene,” the agency said.

Both patients—who police confirmed are the 21-year-old passenger and one of the bystanders who rescued her—were transported to hospital in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said the incident is still under investigation but appears to have been “a tragic accident.”

“The Kamloops RCMP wishes to recognize the bystanders for their bravery as they attempted to rescue the women despite the fast-moving water,” Supt. Jeff Pelley said in a statement.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the woman who is presumed drowned at this time.”

‘Incredible bravery’

Kamloops Search and Rescue urged the public to avoid the area along Schubert Drive between Evans and Birch avenues while crews continue their search.

The RCMP said it is still in the process of notifying the victim’s family.

“The investigation into the cause of the accident continues,” the RCMP statement said. “No further details are being released at this time.”

The Kamloops Professional Firefighters union and charitable society praised the “courageous bystanders” who jumped in to help, calling it “an act of incredible bravery that speaks to the compassion and selflessness within our community.”

“Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this incident,” the firefighters said in a social media post. “We are grateful for the efforts of all emergency personnel and community members involved.