Police and SAR crews recover kayaker's body from 'treacherous' Capilano River
Rescuers undertook 'complicated recovery operation' at first light
Rescuers recovered the body of a kayaker from the Capilano River on Tuesday morning.
It follows a rescue mission by police, North Shore Rescue, fire crews and the Coast Guard that began Monday afternoon after a male kayaker was reported in distress around 2:30 p.m. PT.
Just before 6 p.m. PT, police confirmed that the rescue had turned into a recovery operation from the swollen North Shore river.
"By the time they had confirmed where his body was located it was pretty clear that it was going to be a recovery," said Sgt. Doug Trousdell of North Vancouver RCMP.
"He appeared to be an experienced kayaker and was geared to go kayaking. We don't know what happened that led to him getting into trouble."
Rescuers pulled the body from the water shortly before 7:30 a.m. PT Tuesday.
Recovery operations of the deceased kayaker at Capilano River have stopped for the night. Efforts will resume in the morning. Remember to use extra caution around all fast moving waters during all rain advisories.
—@nvanrcmpRescue effort
North Shore Rescue said they used a helicopter to attempt to rescue the individual from what Trousdell described as the lower part of the river.
Trousdell said the man was kayaking alone. The volume and level of water on the river were described by police as "extreme" following days of rainfall.
Trousdell said throughout the North Shore, rivers, creeks and streams are "very treacherous" and advised staying out of them for the time being.
The Wardance Bridge, one of the crossings that connects West Vancouver and North Vancouver, was closed for a time, West Vancouver police reported. It has since reopened.
