One man dead, another missing, after snowmobile plunges into Athabasca River

EDMONTON- RCMP in Whitecourt have confirmed one man is dead, and another is missing, after a snowmobile plunged into the Athabasca River Saturday night.

RCMP say the two men were among a group of five Edmonton area snowmobilers out for a ride around 11:30p.m. Saturday, when the accident happened.

The men are 59 and 45-years-old, according to RCMP however, police were not sure which one was the deceased.

Officers say one man died when he tried to drive his snowmobile on open water on the Athabasca River.

“One gentleman decided to try to run the open water with his snow machine and as he hit the open water he sank with his machine. A second male that was in the group tried to rescue the first male and he too went under water and they never surfaced after that,” explained Staff Sergeant Rod Koscielny with Whitecourt RCMP.

Koscielny says a third man attempted to rescue the pair. He was unable to save them however, he is safe.

The photo below shows the area where the snowmobile and two men went into the river.

STARS Air Ambulance was called in to assist police, ambulance and fire crews with the search.

Officers say one man’s body was recovered approximately two kilometres down stream from where he initially fell into the water.

Water rescue crews from Edmonton Fire Rescue Services are also on scene to help with the recovery of the body, and search for the missing man.

An RCMP helicopter was on scene Sunday, running the river, in hopes of finding the second man.

“We’re considering it a rescue mission. We obviously can’t confirm where he is or whether he’s safe. He may be clinging to an embankment,” said Koscielny.

However, rescue crews are concerned about the man, due to the cold temperature of the water.

“He’s going to be, obviously, very cold. Hypothermic. Although it was around zero (degrees celcius) here last night, the water’s very, very cold and with any amount of breeze, of course yes, we’re concerned,” said Koscielny.

He says the group of snowmobilers appeared to be experienced riders.

“They did have all the proper equipment on. They did have helmets, they had the proper snowmobile clothing on to keep warm. So yes, they were geared up.”

However, as a snowmobiler himself, Koscielny says riding on the water is extremely dangerous.

“We don’t advocate going on any body of water, or any river, ever. No matter what time of year, whether it’s spring or fall or winter. Stay off the waterways. There’s marked trails, there’s safer places to ride,” he said. “But certainly the water isn’t some place you should be on.”

RCMP continue to investigate, but say alcohol is believed to have been involved.

Koscielny says the other men have been interviewed and believes they have headed back to Edmonton.

The search for the missing snowmobiler was suspended for the day, late Sunday afternoon.

Whitecourt is located approximately 180 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
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