RCMP looking for man missing in North Saskatchewan River

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    RCMP are searching for a swimmer who went missing on the North Saskatchewan River near Devon on Sunday. Laura Krause has details on who the 20-year-old man is, and what the search entails.

    RCMP in Alberta are looking for a man who disappeared in the North Saskatchewan River on Sunday.

    Mounties say just after 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, officers responded to a report of a person struggling in the river. Mounties from Devon, Parkland and the Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded, using multiple boats and drones.

    “The swimmer was attempting to cross the river, and he got in some trouble and was ultimately last seen still going downstream, still struggling in the water. Devon RCMP as well as Parkland RCMP have ultimately taken charge in the investigation as well as other fire departments in the area,” said Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, public information officer with the Alberta RCMP.

    “The search has extended outside of Parkland county now further downstream. Still searching within the areas in Parkland County but just as time goes on, the area gets larger and larger.”

    RCMP looking for man missing in North Saskatchewan River. (Photo Credit: Jonas Gilbart, CityNews)

    “Whenever you have a report of someone in the water it’s about getting resources out quickly, to try to get into the water and on the banks to see what you can find, and try to do a rescue. At this point, it obviously would be impossible to consider it a rescue in the river itself. A lot of these times, these searches will include searching river banks and extending out of the water. In those cases you are looking for a rescue, but as time goes on that becomes less and less viable. Boats in the water at this point would be a recovery at this time.”

     

    The man was identified as 20-year-old Austin Richmond Laporte from Beaumont, Alberta.

    Laporte has been described as 5’8″, 190 lbs, brown hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing black shorts and no shirt.

    Parkland RCMP have since taken over the search.

    “Today, there are still people searching. There are boats in the water and that will continue for some time,” said Cpl. Savinkoff. “Our river searches are challenging, and as time goes on the search area gets larger and larger.”

    Anyone with any information is asked to contact RCMP at 825-220-7267 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.


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    RCMP looking for man missing in North Saskatchewan River. (Photo Credit: Jonas Gilbart, CityNews)

     

    This is the second person to go missing in the North Saskatchewan River in 2023.

    On June 4, a teen went missing near Terwillegar Park. Following an extensive search, the body of the teen was recovered on July 11 near Smoky Lake.

    “Rivers are difficult because visibility is hampered. You can’t linger in an area, its more difficult. The area is extensive, it goes a long ways and it sometimes difficult to predict where along the channel somebody might end up. You do your best with what resources you can bring in, but certainly these conditions are difficult for us,” said Cpl. Savinkoff.

    Experts warn there are many dangers that come with trying to swim in rivers.

    “Rivers come with a wide variety of hazards, and one of the most dangerous things about those hazards is they can change from day to day,” said Madison Lalonde, member relations manager with the Lifesaving Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories.

    “A few examples of those hazards are underwater hazards like rocks, debris that sort of thing. Cold water can affect your ability to swim, even if you are a strong swimmer. And sudden changes in depth as well. So combine that with moving water, there is a possibility of currents and undercurrents.”

    July 16-22 marks national Drowning Prevention Week, and the Lifesaving Society among other partners across the country are trying to share the best tips on how to prevent drownings and other water-related injuries.

    “The Lifesaving Society recommends you avoid swimming in moving water. If you’re planning on enjoying the river there are a lot of things you can do to stay safe. If you are planning on going in, please stay shallow. If you plan on boating or doing any other aquatic activities its important to wear a lifejacket.”

    Every year in Canada, over 400 Canadians die from drowning. Of those, about 30 are from Alberta.

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