Port Alberni RCMP on Tuesday confirmed that a second person has been located deceased after a washout on Bamfield Road over the weekend. Two separate vehicles had been found submerged in the Sarita River after torrential rains hit the west coast on Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, Port Alberni RCMP received two separate missing persons reports for two different overdue travellers on Bamfield Road. Police were able to ping the cell phone of one missing person, which showed they last connected with a cell tower near the 58-km mark on Bamfield Main. The road had been flooded after heavy rainfall and high tides caused the Sarita River to rise over its banks.
One missing individual's dog was pulled out of the water at around 1 p.m. by good Samaritans, but the dog's owner was not found. A helicopter was deployed to the area to conduct an aerial search and the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad was requested to assist in the search.
Just before 9 p.m., family members of one of the missing persons located their loved one's truck fully submerged in Sarita River. Due to the fast-flowing water and darkness, emergency services were unable to confirm if the vehicle was occupied. The missing driver was later located deceased a short distance away. He has been identified as Ken Duncan of Bamfield, who worked for Huu-ay-aht Group of Companies. Duncan had been travelling from Port Alberni to Bamfield when his car ended up off the road.
A second vehicle was also found in the Sarita River, but search and rescue personnel were unable to immediately conduct a swift water recovery due to high water levels and fast-moving currents. On Monday, Oct. 21 RCMP confirmed that the second missing person was deceased inside their vehicle, however, they could not be safely accessed.
On Tuesday, Oct. 22 RCMP liaised with Alberni Valley Rescue Squad to coordinate recovery of the second missing person's remains and remove both vehicles from the Sarita River. The family of the second victim has been notified; a name has not been released.
"This was a tragic incident and a great loss to two families," Port Alberni RCMP Sgt. Chet Carroll said. "Our hearts and thoughts are with the families of the victims."
Police are urging travellers to stay away from the area of the Sarita River.
"Water is flowing fast and this portion of the Bamfield Road is susceptible to flooding, especially around high tides," said Const. Beth O'Connor, media relations officer for the Port Alberni RCMP. "Also, police want to remind everyone that attempting to cross flooded roadways can be extremely dangerous."
The atmospheric river weather system that lashed British Columbia’s coast over the weekend set a number of daily rainfall records across the province. Rainfall warnings remain in effect for much of the south coast, and B.C.’s River Forecast Centre is maintaining flood warnings for waterways on southwestern Vancouver Island.
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) offered its condolences to the family and loved ones of both missing persons.
“Our hearts are with the community of Bamfield and the families of those impacted by this tragedy,” said John Jack, chair of the ACRD Board of Directors and Chief Councillor for Huu-ay-aht First Nations. “The atmospheric river weather caused many challenges throughout our region this weekend, but it is unthinkable that the washout on the Bamfield Road has had such a tragic end.”
Jack said that "further discussions" will be taking place with First Nations, the province of B.C. and industry partners to address public safety.
