Elk Valley RCMP are searching for a missing man who was last seen in the Elk River on Saturday, June 20.
Police said officers from the Elk Valley Regional RCMP Detachment, Fernie Fire Rescue and BC Emergency Health Services responded at about 5:29 p.m. to the 300 block of Highway 3 in Fernie after receiving a report of a man floating in the Elk River.
The man was described as about 50 years old, balding and wearing a black-and-gold plaid shirt and blue jeans.
Police said the man was last seen at about 6:08 p.m. floating in the Elk River near the Stanford Hotel along Riverside Way. He was reportedly unresponsive to calls from police and other emergency responders along the river.
Fernie Search and Rescue was activated and conducted a helicopter search of the river for several hours in an effort to locate the man. Police, emergency responders and volunteers also searched areas adjacent to the Elk River.
At about 8:32 p.m., RCMP, in consultation with search partners, stood down the active search of the river.
Police said they identified the man through an earlier incident that day and are investigating the matter as a missing-person case. His whereabouts remain unknown. Investigators believe he may have drowned.
Search efforts are expected to continue in the coming days.
Police said next of kin have been notified and family members have attended the area.
The investigation is ongoing.
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