Body recovered in tragic rafting accident
By Mona Mattei
The body of 54-year-old Wade Brunelle was recovered this morning after a summer rafting trip turned tragic last night.
Brunelle fell from his raft into the river east of Grand Forks about 100 metres from the confluence of the Kettle and Granby rivers in deep water. He was rafting with his brother who lost sight of him and was too far away to help. Another witness saw Brunelle in the water and then lost sight of him as well. Brunelle’s raft was found last night downstream and the search started quickly.
Volunteers with the Grand Forks Fire Department and Grand Forks Search and Rescue started a search that continued late into the night after Brunelle was reported missing at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 7. They were joined early today by Penticton, South Columbia and Nelson Search and Rescue teams and the the Southeast Regional Swift Water Team Search and Rescue to scour the river.
Brunelle’s body was located at about 9:45 a.m. this morning by the RCMP helicopter when the search resumed today.
The recovery of the body by the swift water team took over two hours and went off without any further problems.
Brunelle’s brother, son and other family members were on hand for the recovery and a positive identification was made.
“The investigation is continuing,” explained Staff Sergeant Jim Harrison, “however it is known that Mr. Brunelle was a non-swimmer and he was not wearing a personal floatation device.”
Harrison confirmed that alcohol was a factor in the drowning.
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