Kamloops RCMP continue search for Alta. man swept away by river - Action News
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British Columbia

Kamloops RCMP continue search for Alta. man swept away by river

Police say 50-year-old Stan Cappis and a friend jumped into a fast-moving portion of the river to rescue two young people who got caught by the river's current.

Stan Cappis, 50, had jumped into North Thompson River in an attempt to save 2 young people, police say

A white man carries a large fish on a boat.
Stan Cappis, 50, was reported to have been lost in Kamloops' North Thompson River after diving in to save two youths. (Kamloops RCMP)

Police in Kamloops,B.C., say the search continues for an Alberta man lost in the North Thompson River.

Kamloops RCMP say officers responded to a call around 3 p.m. PT on Friday near a sports complex after a man was reportedly "swept away" by the river.

Police say 50-year-old Stan Cappis and a friend jumped into a fast-moving portion of the river to rescue two young people who got caught by the river's current.

Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet says Cappis's friend and the youths made itto shore, but Cappis was "swept away" and was last spotted around a river bend.

A white man with spiky brown hair smiles.
Cappis is described as a white man with an athletic build and dark hair. He was last seen wearing shorts and sunglasses. (Kamloops RCMP)

Police say efforts by emergency personnel and numerous civilians to find Cappis began immediately, but he wasn't found. The man is from Red Deer, Alta., according to Kamloops Search and Rescue manager Frank Pryce.

RCMP say the search will continue Sunday with help from the local search-and-rescue team, and police say people who live in the area around the Tournament Capital Ranch should be on the lookout for Cappis.

Cappis is described as a white man with an athletic build and dark hair. He was last seen wearing shorts and sunglasses, according to police.

A sign reading 'Tournament Capital Ranch' is pictured outdoors, with an address pointing to 5375 Yellowhead Highway.
RCMP are asking anyone near the area of the Tournament Capital Ranch to keep an eye out for the missing Alberta man. (Jenifer Norwell/CBC)

"As much as it's not comfortable to wear a personal flotation device, that's the best takeaway here," Shoihet said in a Sunday interview.

Kamloops is a large city in B.C.'s Interior, located around 250 km northeast of Vancouver.

Police likely looking at recovery mission

Shoihet told CBCNewsthat, given the length of time that had elapsed since Cappis went missing, police were likely looking at a recovery mission and not a rescue mission.

She said the circumstances of the incident where the man dove in to save others and got swept away himself is weighing heavily on some officers involved in the recovery effort.

"It was definitely a tough day for our members on Friday, and yesterday as well," the staff sergeant said. "You know, it's really, really unfortunate."

"As much as we do see unfortunate events, it does still impact us."

A river with greenery along its banks is seen on a sunny day.
Police say Cappis and a friend jumped into a fast-moving portion of the North Thompson River to rescue two young people who were caught by the river's current. The river in Kamloops, B.C., as seen on July 14, 2024. (Jenifer Norwell/CBC)

Pryce told CBC News that rescuers were unable to find Cappis despite a concerted effort using helicopters, drones, and jet boats for over 10 hours on Saturday.

He says that because of a cooler, wetter spring in the B.C. Interior, rivers are running higher which means there are not as many sandbars for people to rest on.

The search-and-rescue manager said that life jackets should be taken along if anyone plans to be near rushing waters during summer.

"Lots of times you think, well, I'm just going to swim and I'm not going to wear my life jacket. And that's your decision," he said."But at least if you have that life jacket, there it is, a tool you can use if you decide to use it."

Pryce added that parents should keep children at arm's reach at all times along riverbanks, and that anyone looking to swim should test the currents beforehand.

With files from Jenifer Norwell and The Canadian Press