A swift water rescue had turned into a recovery Monday evening after a search for a missing kayaker in the Capilano River turned tragic.

Search crews are still looking Monday evening for signs of a male kayaker who was reported to be in trouble in the fast-flowing waters of the Capilano River Monday afternoon.

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Fire and rescue crews in both North Vancouver and West Vancouver were called out at around 3:30 p.m. to a report of a kayaker swimming beside a kayak in the river near the Capilano Suspension Bridge, said Assistant Fire Chief Chad Laforete of District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue.

The firefighters prepared for a possible swift water and searched on both sides of the river, from an area starting near the suspension bridge down to the mouth of the river near Park Royal Shopping Centre.

The North Vancouver RCMP and Coast Guard were also called out, with the Coast Guard’s hovercraft sent to the mouth of the Capilano River.

“The Coast Guard recovered a kayak out in the water in the Ambleside area,” said Laforete.

But as darkness fell, there were no signs of the kayaker.

“The search is still ongoing,” said Laforete, at around 5:30 p.m.

Laforete said he had no information on whether searchers had been provided any clues about who they might be searching for or whether any kayakers had been reported missing.

Laforete said the search has now been turned over to the North Vancouver RCMP and North Shore Rescue.

Shortly before 6 pm., the North Vancouver RCMP said on social media that the rescue had turned into a recovery operation. Searchers suspended their efforts for the night around 7 p.m. and are expected to be back on the water Tuesday morning.



Recovery operations of the deceased kayaker at Capilano River have stopped for the night. Efforts will resume in the morning. Remember to use extra caution around all fast moving waters during all rain advisories. — North Vancouver RCMP (@nvanrcmp) January 30, 2018