UPDATED: 7:35 p.m.
Search efforts for the woman whose vehicle plunged into the river near Keremeos have concluded, as RCMP announced on Saturday evening that they have located her body.
The woman found has since been identified as 43-year old Amy Sabean. Her family has since been notified.
The RCMP clarified the location of the collision and apologized for any prior confusion.
Amy Sabean’s vehicle veered off of Ashnola Road on Friday morning and dove into the Ashnola River, which is approximately 15 km from the Similkameen River.
Because the water was moving so fast, the search for Amy extended to the Similkameen River in hopes she could be located there.
“Sadly, earlier this morning search and rescue crews located the body of a deceased woman approximately 14 km downstream of the Ashnola River from the collision site, and about 1 km prior to where the Ashnola River enters into the Similkameen River,” Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesperson for the BC RCMP stated in a press release.
Due to the high risk associated with recovering the deceased from the river’s rapidly flowing waters, search and rescue teams took the time necessary to safely carry out the recovery mission.
The BC Coroners Service has also launched its own investigation into Amy’s unexpected death.
Anyone with any further information to assist with this investigation, is asked to call the Keremeos RCMP at 250-499-5511.
ORIGINAL: 7:33 a.m.
A woman was swept away in the Similkameen River near Keremeos after crashing her vehicle into the fast-moving water Friday morning.
Search crews spent all day Friday looking for 43-year-old Amy Sabean after her white Chevrolet Blazer crashed off Ashnola Road at about 10:45 a.m. and into the river.
An associate of Sabean was driving behind her when the crash occurred. He said he saw her attempt to get out of her vehicle after the crash, but she was swept away.
“Search and rescue was immediately deployed, along with RCMP Air 4, as well as several members of Keremeos Highway Patrol who are assisting the Keremeos RCMP with their search,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey of the RCMP.
“Border agencies have been advised since the search is close to the USA border.”
Search efforts are expected to continue Saturday.
Police have asked anyone who has information about Sabean’s whereabouts to call their local police.