UPDATED: Coroners Service releases name of flood victim
By Nelson Daily Staff
The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of the man who died when a bridge on which he was standing was swept away by flood waters on June 23. The man has been identified as Edward Posnikoff, aged 72, of Crescent Valley.
On the evening of June 23, Posnikoff was standing on a bridge over Goose Creek near the edge of his property in Crescent Valley near Nelson. A family member witnessed the bridge collapsing under pressure from the flood waters, and Posnikoff being swept away.
Posnikoff’s body was found and recovered by Nelson Search and Rescue on the morning of June 24, about one kilometre downstream from where he was seen to go into the creek.
The family of Posnikoff has been notified of his death. On behalf of the family, the BC Coroners Service asks that the media respect their privacy.
The BC Coroners Service offers its condolences to the family and friends of Posnikoff, and its appreciation for the assistance provided by the Nelson Search and Rescue team.
The BC Coroners Service also stresses again to the public the dangers of fast-flowing rivers and streams during this time, and urges everyone to take extreme caution when near any areas of high water.
Updated: Body recovered from Goose Creek Sunday afternoon identified as missing Pass Creek man
RCMP confirmed Sunday afternoon search crews recovered the body of a missing Pass Creek man presumed drowned in Goose Creek Saturday evening.
At approximately 2:05 p.m., Nelson Search and Rescue crews pulled a body from Goose Creek and officially idenfied the person as the 72-year-old male swept away when the bridge was on collasped.
RCMP are withholding the name of the deceased until next of kin have beeen notified.
Nelson RCMP wish to thank Nelson Search and Rescue as well as the various local Fire Departments for their dedication and assistance in this incident.
Pass Creek resident presumed drowned in Goose Creek after bridge swept away
RCMP is reporting a 72-year-old Pass Creek resident is missing and presumed drowned after being swept away in rushing waters of Goose Creek while checking on flooding near his property.
A approximately 7 p.m., Saturday a male resident went out to check on flooding at property on the 3300 block of Pass Creek Road.
He was last seen on a privately owned bridge over Goose Creek that connects his property to Pass Creek Road.
Thirty minutes later the man’s brother went outside to find the bridge was washed away by the rushing waters and no sign of missing man.
RCMP believe that the male subject fell into Goose Creek or was swept away with the bridge.
Nelson Search and Rescue were immediately activated and attended the scene.
The Kootenay Boundary Regional Detachment Police Dog Service also attended along with the volunteer fire departments from Crescent Valley, Beasley and Tarry’s along with Nelson Rural RCMP.
Search efforts were conducted but were limited due to the weather conditions as well as the rapid water flow and high water levels.
There were no signs of the missing person at that time.
Family members of the missing person have been notified and Nelson Victim Services are currently working with the family.
The B.C. Coroner’s Service and RCMP are investigating this occurrence.
RCMP caution residents, pet owners and hikers to avoid flooded areas and fast running streams and rivers.
Until current conditions improve – area residents with pets should place them on leash and have the animals under close supervision around these waterways .
