RCMP say the body of a second person has been found inside their vehicle after a road washed away amid an atmopsheric river on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Police say two vehicles went into the Sarita River when Bamfield Road washed out on Saturday as an atmospheric river hammered southern B.C.
The body of one driver was found a short distance from their vehicle Sunday. The second driver’s vehicle was also found in the river, but crews were unable to recover it due to high water levels and fast-moving currents.
In an update Tuesday, Port Alberni RCMP said they had been able to confirm the second person was dead in their vehicle and that they are now working with the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad to recover their remains and both of the vehicles.
Family of both victims have been notified.
At least three people were killed due to weather events over the weekend. In addition to the two drivers on Vancouver Island, a teacher in Coquitlam died in a mudslide that swept away her residence.
Crews are also searching for a 59-year-old man who is believed to have been swept away when trying to save a dog from the surging Coquitlam River.
Community in mourning
Huu-ay-aht First Nation Chief Councillor and Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District chair John Jack told CBC News both drivers were residents of Bamfield, a community of about 200 people that is in the midst of Huu-ay-aht Nations land and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
He said both are well known in the community, and their deaths would be profoundly felt. Offices and several businesses in the community, he said, have closed to mourn.
“We’re at a low point, community-wise, right now,” he said. “It’s tragic.”