Vancouver authorities clarify initial report of river incident involving child

The Vancouver Fire Department clarified that a 52-year-old man who went missing in the Columbia River was not rescuing a child but was swimming to recover a football. The incident took place at Wintler Park on Sunday evening, leading to a significant response from 23 emergency personnel. Initial reports inaccurately stated that the man entered the river to assist a 5-year-old child, which was later corrected by the victim's family. Rescue operations continued until 10:39 p. m.

on Sunday and resumed the next day with the use of new sonar equipment to aid in the search. The incident has since been turned over to the US Coast Guard and Vancouver Police Department for ongoing investigation and recovery efforts. Emergency responders emphasized the need for clarity in such situations to avoid misinformation. The case underscores the risks associated with water activities and the challenges faced by rescue teams. Local communities may need to consider safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.