Update 12:15: The man who went missing in the Thompson River on Sunday has been identified as an international student attending Thompson Rivers University, according to Kamloops RCMP.

Emergency crews were called to the north shore of the river just east of the Overlander Bridge around 5:14 p.m. on July 6, after reports that a man had been swept away while trying to retrieve a volleyball. He had been playing with a group of friends near the water when he entered the river and was caught in a strong undercurrent.

Two other men from the group attempted to help but were also pulled in by the current. Both were rescued, but the third man disappeared below the surface and has not been seen since.

Police say the student’s identity is being withheld for now as they work with the RCMP’s Foreign Domestic Liaison Unit to notify his family overseas.

“Search and Rescue, and RCMP Air Services, are assisting with the search,” said Corporal Dana Napier, RCMP spokesperson. “We are asking anyone along the riverbanks to remain alert and to contact Kamloops RCMP with any relevant information.”

The public is urged to stay away from active search zones along the river and to report any sightings or information to the Kamloops RCMP Detachment at 250-828-3000, referencing file number 2025-21574.

Original:

Kamloops Search and Rescue crews are continuing to search along the shoreline and in the water of the Thompson River for a young man who was overcome by waters on Sunday.

Kamloops Fire Rescue has confirmed to Radio NL that crews are looking for a young man in his early 20’s who was swept away by the River while he and friends were spending their Sunday afternoon in Overlander Park, which is at the confluence of the North and South Thompson Rivers.

KFR says it was called out in the later part of the afternoon to conduct a search using its specialized swift water rescue gear.

The department says early indications are the young man was attempting to retrieve a ball from the River when he began being pulled downstream.

KFR says the young men’s three friends did attempt a rescue on their own, but were unsuccessful, saying indications are that none in the group were strong swimmers.

The Fire Department says it conducted a search of the area along the shoreline, as well as areas surrounding Rabbit Island, with no success, then handing the search over a couple of hours later to the RCMP, which subsequently called in Kamloops Search and Rescue.

KSAR teams began their efforts around 6:30pm Sunday, but were forced to call of the search overnight.

A search resumed around 6 Monday morning.

KSAR is asking people to avoid the areas along the Thompson River to allow crews the space needed to conduct their search operations.

The identity of the young man has not been revealed at this point.

This comes on the heels of Kamloops Fire Rescue recently issuing a note of caution, asking that people be aware of the dangers the Thompson Rivers pose for those who might want to cool themselves during the higher temperatures.