One dead, one still missing as family swept away in Vancouver Island creek

CAMPBELL RIVER, Canada — Searchers on Vancouver Island are hopeful but admit they are bracing for the worst after three people on a family outing on an all-terrain vehicle were swept away while crossing a creek near Campbell River.

Area residents heard screams and pulled one female from Woods Creek on Sunday, and Paul Berry with Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue said a search was launched for two others, a male and female.

Berry said the body of one person was found just before search efforts were called off Sunday night and there was extreme concern for the person who was still missing.

“We always remain hopeful that we can find someone alive but because of the high flows of water and the cooler temperatures, we prepare our teams that it could potentially be a recovery,” Berry said Monday.

The accident happened at what is normally a “pretty benign” section of Woods Creek where the trio had frequently crossed before, he said.

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“Because of the amount of rain and snow the previous night, the creek was raging.” 

About 35 search and rescue members, along with RCMP and crews from the Campbell River and Oyster River fire departments took part in Sunday’s search and Berry said swift water rescue teams from Comox and Campbell River were resuming the search Monday.

Saturday’s downpours were also blamed for causing a landslide that severely damaged one home in Campbell River and briefly trapped two people in the house.

They were rescued unharmed and a news release posted by the City of Campbell River says the home and three other nearby properties have been ordered evacuated until experts can confirm the stability of the bank.

The city said it could be several days before an assessment of the slope is complete and emergency social services was helping those residents find shelter and relocate livestock.

The Canadian Press