Update: Ymir search and rescue technician found dead in river
By Nelson Daily Staff
Ymir resident Sheilah Sweatman’s body was recovered from the Goat River around noon Thursday, a day after she was swept down the river while the swift water rescue team she was on attended the scene of a submerged vehicle.
Search and Rescue Swift Water Specialists at the Goat River Thursday morning at the submerged vehicle site were able to safely complete the grim recovery of their drowned SAR teammate, originally from Manitoba, by midday around noon, said RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.
Sweatman, 29, a volunteer with Kootenay Swift Water Specialists Team, had approximately two years of service with SAR.
“It is a tragic day for BC Volunteer Search and Rescue Team members from across BC, who saw the loss of a teammate yesterday,” said Cpl Moskaluk. “The death of Sheilah Sweatman marks the first time in BC SAR history that one of the province’s SAR volunteers was killed while in service. The RCMP and communities across BC offer their sincerest condolences to her family and coworkers.”
The SAR team continued with the task of confirming whether there were any occupants in the submerged vehicle. Two local tow trucks attended to assist in pulling the vehicle out of the river after SAR technicians worked at securing the vehicle.
The BC Coroners Services confirmed Sweatman drowned Wednesday during the search and rescue operation near Creston.
Late Wednesday afternoon June 29, the Creston RCMP were called to the Goat River, just off Highway 21, south of Creston for a report of a vehicle going off the road and submerged in the river.
Search and rescue team resources required to carry out an examination of the vehicle mustered at the location, with an objective of determining if there were any occupants in the submerged vehicle.
At about 4:15 pm during the course of their search efforts, utilizing swift water line equipment and a swift water craft, Sweatman went overboard into the river and did not surface. Efforts to locate and rescue her were not successful.
Search and rescue efforts were suspended shortly after attempts to recover their teammate were unsuccessful with the recovery operation resuming Thursday.
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