An intense weekend search failed to locate an Edmonton man who was last seen swimming in the North Saskatchewan River a week ago.
Staff Sgt. Bill Laidlaw of the Rocky Mountain House RCMP said Tuesday a few search groups participated in a hunt downstream from the Big Horn Dam, west of Nordegg, on the weekend but didn’t locate the man.
The man, in his early 20s was caught in an undertow while swimming with a male companion about 12:45 p.m. on July 20.
The men camped in the area.
One man was caught in an undertow. His companion, also in his early 20s, tried to save him, but the man was swept away.
“He could be anywhere. He could be still right there because the water is dark and he may not have been seen,” Laidlaw said.
He also said the man could be caught in rocks underwater or have been swept downstream.
“We just have to wait for nature to run its course,” said Laidlaw.
Police said it would be very difficult to survive in that part of the river, where the water temperature was measured at -10C.
Side-scan sonar, jet boats, divers and a helicopter were used in efforts to locate the man.
Names of the missing man and his friend have not been released.