Nanaimo RCMP are still looking for a woman in distress near Nanaimo River Wednesday afternoon after the witness who reported the incident was able to give Nanaimo RCMP more information.
Nanaimo RCMP and local search and rescue organizations conducted searches after a report came in of a woman seen swimming in Nanaimo River yesterday afternoon. Police were considering it a possible drowning, but after interviewing the witness this morning, now say it could be someone in need of medical assistance.
The witness was identified in an earlier Nanaimo RCMP press release and provided an account of the situation, said Const. Gary O'Brien, RCMP spokesman.
“To this point, he had only provided limited information to attending fire crews. He told investigators he was fishing in the river when he saw and heard a female making distress sounds from underneath the bridge. From her actions it appeared she was experiencing some medical or personal issues.
“He then watched as she entered the water, fully clothed and swam across the channel. He saw her pull herself out of the water and from that point on, she was not see again,” O'Brien said, in a press release.
According to the witness, the woman might have been of First Nations descent, standing approximately 5-foot-9, in her late-20s, with brown hair that may have been tucked in a baseball cap.
She was wearing black tights, dark shorts with stripes, a dark T-shirt, a large, dark unzipped coat, and appeared disheveled.
O'Brien said she was soaking wet and may need medical assistance.
If you have information on this incident, please call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.