Calgary police, firefighters check Bow River for remains in annual search
Police officers and firefighters are joining together on Thursday to scour the Bow River and its banks as part of an annual search for missing persons.
Nearly 6,000 people were reported missing in Calgary last year, according to the Calgary Police Service (CPS).
"Most are safely located, however, it is a tragic reality that a small number of those individuals enter our waterways – either voluntarily or involuntarily – and have not yet been located," Staff Sgt. Martin Schiavetta said.
"This annual search brings together skilled searchers from a number of organizations in hopes of providing answers to the families of missing people."
Calgary police and firefighters routinely monitor the rivers throughout the year, but a more thorough search is held in the fall when water levels are at their lowest and clearest.
"We cannot imagine the feelings of loss and helplessness families experience not being able to put their loved one to rest," Calgary Fire Department (CFD) spokesperson Carol Henke said.
This year, the search will focus on a section of the river in south Calgary. It will be executed by members of the CPS, CFD, RCMP, Calgary Search and Rescue Association and Cochrane Fire Services.
While crews search the Bow River from the ground, CPS will use the HAWCS helicopter to conduct an aerial search.
RCMP will use a helicopter to search the river from Calgary's southern city limits east toward the Saskatchewan border.
If any remains are located, police will work with medical examiners to determine the identity of the deceased and if their death was criminal in nature.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.