On Air Now Vuntat Njiik Nakaii - Gwitchin Language Radio Show Noon - 3:00pm
Now Playing hosted by legendary Ben "Chuck" Charlie Vuntat Njiik Nakaii
Listen Live

RCMP Investigating Drowning Incident Near Faro

Wednesday, 30 January 2019 17:20

Yukon RCMP are investigating a presumed drowning that occurred Monday evening approximately 60 kilometers west of Faro.

RCMP are investigating a presumed drowning that occurred Monday evening.

Ross River Faro RCMP were notified of the incident just after midnight yesterday, and they say the incident occurred approximately 60 kilometres west of Faro when two men operating snowmobiles on Drury Lake broke through the ice. 

One man was able to escape to safety and join up with another snowmobiler in the group, however one man was observed going under water and did not resurface.

After the incident, the RCMP say the two men traveled to a residence in Drury Creek and called for RCMP for assistance.

Yesterday morning, members of the RCMP, the Yukon Search and Rescue, Whitehorse Fire Department and other ice technicians were flown via helicopter to conduct a search and recover operation where the incident occurred.

Aerial tests and in-water searches of the area were conducted, however the body of the missing man could not be located.

Further recover operations are expected to take place later this week, and while the identity of the missing man can't be released at this time, police are confirming the person missing is  a 36-year-old resident of Alberta.

Police say  poor visibility due to darkness, unstable ice conditions, and the remote location of the incident, the search operation couldn't begin until the morning after the incident.

RCMP are reminding anyone deciding anyone to venture out or near Yukon waterways to always check ice thickness and remain close to the shoreline.

Share

More from CHON-FM Northern News