The search continues for 2 lacking ladies who reportedly bumped into bother whereas boating on the Grand River in Kitchener, Ont. over the weekend.
A witness referred to as emergency companies Saturday, at round 9:30 p.m., stating that they noticed two boaters in misery close to King Road East and River Street East.
Waterloo Regional Police stated their groups searched Saturday night time and once more on Sunday, however had been finally unsuccessful find the ladies or their boat.
Search groups, which included OPP dive specialists, returned to the Grand River on Monday.
Reporters at a Waterloo Regional Police press convention on two lacking boaters on July 15, 2024. (Dan Lauckner/)
Police additionally held a press convention to replace the general public on their efforts.
“Our ongoing hope is that we do recover them and bring some closure to their families and friends,” Const. Melissa Quarrie stated.
A few of these associates, talking to , have recognized the ladies by their first names solely – Annette and Rachel.
Police couldn’t touch upon whether or not it was a rescue or restoration mission.
The search groups, they defined, are dealing with a number of challenges on the water.
“It is quite a treacherous location, at the bottom of a dam,” Supt. Brenna Bonn stated, including that it’s additionally close to a “turbulent catch basin.”
Grand River close to King Road East and River Street East in Kitchener on July 15, 2024. (Dan Lauckner/)
The opposite problem is the wet climate.
“It obviously impacts the flow of the river,” Bonn defined. “We have been in contact with the Region of Waterloo and Grand River Conservation [Authority] in regards to impacting the flow of the water and what we can do to change [it], in order to assist with our efforts.”
Police stated their search is at the moment contained to 1 particular space alongside the Grand River.
Drones have additionally been used a number of occasions to discover the realm.
A Waterloo Regional Police officer on the Grand River close to King Road East and River Street East in Kitchener on July 15, 2024. (Dan Lauckner/)
Ready for solutions
Kim Stach, who visited the search space on Monday, is associates with the ladies.
She stated Annette and Rachel are greatest associates.
“I knew they were both going rafting on Saturday. They posted [about it on social media] and they looked happy. It was a beautiful day,” Stach defined. “I didn’t think anything of it and I was kind of jealous because I was at work and they were out having fun.”
She discovered that they had gone lacking when her daughter acquired a name from the daughter of one of many lacking ladies.
“We just kind of drove around to every spot we could think of, get out, look, walk and then just waiting for updates,” Stach stated. “I’m staying positive because there are children and long-term friendships, and I have to believe that they’re just injured and they can’t get to us. They can’t get help. They’re both strong women and so they’re going to fight to the end.”
Public requested to remain away
Police stated members of the general public have requested if they will help within the search, however because of the unpredictable climate, they’re asking everybody to remain away.
“At this time we are strongly advising against anyone coming down to the river,” Quarrie stated. “Let the emergency service professionals continue the search, because even for them at this time, it’s very treacherous to be out on the water and slippery underfoot. We wouldn’t want to have an incident where we have another search ongoing.”
Police stated they’ll present an replace on the search Monday night or Tuesday.
— With extra reporting by Stefanie Davis
