Watch the video above: first responders search the South Saskatchewan River after a report of a person falling into the water
SASKATOON – The Saskatoon fire department has called off a search of the South Saskatchewan River after a report of a person falling into the river on Sunday.
Police received a 9-1-1 call around 12:30 a.m. from a witness indicating that a person walked onto the river ice and then fell into the water just east of the Sid Buckwold Bridge.
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The water rescue team was deployed and a preliminary search was started from the last seen point of the person in Rotary Park.
A witness said the person walked for approximately 500 feet before disappearing. The identity of the person is unknown; however, police say it was likely an adult.
Fire officials confirmed tracks went east towards the west bank and did not return.
STARS air ambulance assisted with an aerial search.
Rescue divers were not deployed due to safety reasons. Officials said the river was flowing at approximately 325 cubic metres per second with only about 100 feet of open water along the west bank.
The search was resumed during daylight hours, with crews searching the area of open water from where the person was last seen to several hundred metres downstream. The area around the weir was also checked by firefighters.
The search has now been suspended pending further investigation.
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