Squamish RCMP have confirmed that the search for missing hikers at Shannon Falls has now turned to a recovery operation.

Police say that shortly before noon on July 3rd, they received a call from the BC Ambulance Service regarding three people who were swimming in one of the pools at the top of Shannon Falls. The individuals were with a group of friends when they slipped and fell into a pool 30 metres below.

Squamish Search and Rescue (SAR), Lions Bay SAR, the BC Ambulance Service, Squamish Fire Rescue, TEAAM, BC Parks, and Squamish RCMP all assisted in the search efforts.

“SAR teams, multiple Helicopter Units, and RCMP have been working in all capacities to locate the three people” says Corporal Sascha Banks. “At around 8:30 pm last night teams were able to confirm the location of the three people in one of the lower pools. The RCMP and Squamish SAR have transitioned to a recovery of the bodies from the pool but the terrain is extremely difficult, very dangerous, and the water flow will be heavy with the warm temperatures today, increasing the risk to those in the recovery effort.”

Specialized RCMP and SAR teams are on site this morning. Banks says Shannon Falls runs on a multiple pools system before it drops to the ground; “The pool system that the three fell into is a non accessible pool system, which over the years has, sort of, created these big sides to it and its not accessible from the side land which the upper pools are… we’re going to have to try and figure out a way to drop teams into there if possible, to make sure that its done in the safest way possible. Its extremely dangerous…”.

Squamish, Lions Bay and North Shore Search and Rescue teams will be working together to coordinate the recovery. The public should expect multiple helicopters in the area as the recovery takes place. Police say that two landing sites have been secured within the Shannon Falls parking lot and park area, and that there should not be any highway delays due to helicopter take off and landing. The falls and any trails leading to the pool system at the top will be closed to the public until further notice.

Families of those missing are currently being contacted and the police will not be releasing the names at this time.

 

Filed under: Police, RCMP, Sea to Sky, Shannon Falls