By CHAT News Today

Authorities determine nobody was in river on Wednesday; search called off

Jun 7, 2017 | 5:40 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Emergency crews have called off a search on the South Saskatchewan River on Wednesday after finding out a man they believed had fell in was never actually in the river at all.

Crews were called to the river around 5 a.m. after a witness reported a man had fallen in the river. South Eastern Alberta Search and Rescue and the Medicine Hat Firefighters were called in to assist with the search.

Crews were on the river until approximately 4 p.m., when the search was called off. The Medicine Hat Police Service was involved in the investigation, and determined the man had never fallen in.

A police service news release said there was no physical evidence of the man falling into the river, and the witness contradicted his statements.

Young minds, big ideas: Elementary students learn about urban planning with 'Box City'

19h ago

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Corporal Shane Ryan with Redcliff RCMP say Medicine Hat Police are investigating the incident, and determining if mischief charges will be laid.

“Certainly having our searchers on the water in dangerous conditions, fire department on the water, on the shores, police as well assisting them, there was a lot of people put in harm’s way today. A lot of people,” Ryan said.

“Not only that, our searchers, they just finished a very intensive, heartbreaking search a few days ago, and they weren’t ready for another one. Now they spent 12 hours searching for nothing.”

Police continue to remind public to stay off the river due to the high water levels and flow speeds.