The man who is believed to have drowned in the Thompson River in Kamloops has been identified in an online fundraiser.

Noha Fossen, who is organizing the fundraiser, says Dr. Michael Mthandazo was in Kamloops for a recreational soccer tournament over the BC Day long weekend, when he was swimming in the river with his son on July 30.

“The water current started to speed up and although he was able to help his son out of the water, he wasn’t able to get out himself,” Fossen said. “He was unfortunately swept away and his body has yet to be recovered.”

Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Crystal Evelyn told NL News last week that the man “entered the water to help a child who was struggling” around 5:30 on Saturday evening, July 30.

“So far, police have searched the area by boat, plane, and drone,” she said. “The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team is also engaged in the investigation.”

Fosssen says Mthandazo moved to Vernon in January last year, calling him a “well respected family physician” who served his community.

“[He] was the sole income earner and does not have any extended family locally so his wife, Julia, and their two sons (ages 11 and 8 months) will need a lot of support from the community,” Fossen said.

“This is such a tragedy and with Julia’s blessings, we have started a GoFundMe page in hopes to alleviate some of the financial burden ahead.

As of 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8, the fundraiser had raised $8,250 of its $15,000 goal.

More to come