The body of a missing Thompson Rivers University student from India has been recovered from the North Thompson River, Kamloops RCMP said Saturday.
Police first reported the 23-year-old man missing Friday, after they say three friends went swimming in the river near Chestnut Avenue around 6:30 a.m.
At the time, police said the student was swept away and his friends were unable to reach him and bring him back to shore.
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Kamloops Fire Rescue then deployed a boat to search the river, while Kamloops Search and Rescue crews and a police drone were also sent out to try and find the student, but there was no sign of him.
On Saturday, the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team recovered the student’s body around 11 a.m.
The B.C. Coroners Service has taken over the investigation, although drowning is believed to be the cause of death, police said.
No criminal activity is suspected. It’s now believed the student was taking pictures near the river when he fell off a steep embankment into the water.
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“This appears to be nothing less than a truly tragic accident,” Kamloops RCMP Staff Sgt. Mat Van Laer said in a statement.
“The public should always be extremely careful around moving water,” he added. “The shore line can shift from year to year and the river floor can drop rapidly in some places.”
Police say they are in contact with the victim’s family in India. The student’s identity has not been disclosed.
Darshan Lindsay with Thompson Rivers University said the man was a student was enrolled in the school of business and economics.
“It’s been a very difficult day, day-and-a-half for our staff and students who would have known this individual,” Lindsay said. “Our focus now is making sure everyone has the support we need.
“It’s not something you expect will ever happen, but when it does we rely on each other to pull through.”
Lindsay wouldn’t say how long the student had been enrolled at the university, citing privacy concerns.
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