UPDATE: Possible missing person presumed drowned
By Trail Champion
On Monday, July 8, a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer confirmed that the 33-year-old Trail man was the only person to have jumped off the Victoria Street Bridge on the night in question at the time it occurred, said RCMP Sgt. Mike Wicentowich.
Investigators conducted an investigation into the incident and report of a second jumper. The investigation concluded with a conversation with the 33-year-old Trail man about the incident. Drugs and mental health may have influenced the information provided to police at the time it was collected.
This investigation will be concluded pending no new information.
Previous coverage:
On Saturday, June 29, at 10:08 p.m., frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officers received a report about two people jumping off the Victoria Street Bridge and into the Columbia River in Trail, according to RCMP Sgt. Mike Wicentowich.
He said a 33-year-old Trail man swam to the river bank after the jump, and was helped by bystanders on the bank. Officers suspected the man was experiencing a mental health episode at the time of the incident. Officers transported the man to Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital for an assessment.
Officers contact Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue, who deployed their rescue boat and conducted a sweep of the Columbia River for the second person, Wicentowich said. The search did not locate anyone. Local search and rescue groups conducted another search the next morning; however, they did not locate anyone. Canadian and US border authorities were notified about a possible missing and presumed drowned person.
“No people have been reported missing to the RCMP since the incident; however, officers have followed up on tips from the public,” he added.
The investigation continues.
If you witnessed this incident, or have any information about the identity of the second person, please contact the Trail Detachment at 250-364-2566 to speak to an investigator.
This incident was short in duration and still quite a mystery. We would like to confirm the sighting of a second person jumping off the bridge if there is any other witnesses to this incident. If you have any information, please contact us immediately,
Wicentowich said.
