Woman Presumed Drowned After Vehicle Plunges Into Kamloops River
A 24-year-old driver went missing when her car entered the North Thompson River; a young passenger was rescued by bystanders.
A 24-year-old woman is presumed drowned after her vehicle plunged into the North Thompson River near Kamloops on Sunday evening. A 21-year-old passenger was rescued by three bystanders who jumped into the water to help, according to RCMP.
The rescue effort, carried out by civilians before emergency responders arrived, likely saved the younger passenger's life. The incident underscores both the unpredictability of accidents on highways near water and the critical role bystanders play in rescue situations.
Kamloops RCMP are continuing the search for the missing driver. The circumstances of how the vehicle entered the river remain under investigation. The North Thompson River, while scenic, presents serious hazards for vehicles that leave the highway—cold water temperatures and strong currents make rescue difficult even when help arrives quickly.
For drivers on highways near bodies of water, this serves as a stark reminder of how quickly accidents can turn catastrophic. RCMP are investigating.