Despite a comprehensive search, two men remain missing after their barge sank.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, a barge began to sink north of Campbell River. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre informed the police, and they responded along with a helicopter and three Canadian Coast Guard vessels.
Pier in Campbell River. (Photo Credit: City of Campbell River)
Three males were on board the privately owned 67-foot steel landing craft on its way to Campbell River. The barge began to take on water and capsized in 72 metre deep water about a half mile north of the docks at the old mill.
An Alaskan ferry who happened to be in the area used their zodiac to recover one male who had escaped while the craft was capsizing. The other two males were not found. Campbell River RCMP provided lights on the shore to help the other men in case they were trying to swim to shore.
After a comprehensive search of sea, air, and land, still no signs have been found of the two missing men. Campbell River RCMP are now investigating the incident as a missing persons case.
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