By Scott Roblin

Brooks RCMP searching for missing driver after vehicle sinks near ravine

Jul 7, 2019 | 11:04 AM

COUNTY OF NEWELL, AB – Brooks RCMP are searching for the driver of a vehicle that became submerged in a ravine on Friday evening.

Police were called to a rural property about 20 kilometres west of Brooks at 6:00 pm on Friday after a vehicle drove over several kilometres of open field and hit a ravine before sinking almost completely into the water according to Brooks RCMP Cpl. Richelle Daly.

“We responded to the scene and found the vehicle completely submerged in water with front-end damage to the vehicle,” said Daly. “There were no persons found in or around the vehicle at the time. We then deployed our police dog service along with search & rescue, Medicine Hat Fire, Brooks Fire, and a search of the area was initiated.”

The driver, who is believed to be 25-year-old Joseph Given of Calgary, was not found at the scene of the crash by RCMP, search dogs, HALO, South Eastern Alberta Search & Rescue, or fire crews.

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Daly said they haven’t yet determined why Given decided to veer off the Trans-Canada Highway and drive in a straight line towards the ravine.

“Our evidence indicates that the vehicle had travelled along a farm field prior to entering the ravine,” she said. “Approximately a kilometre at a high rate of speed, the damage done to the vehicle indicates it would have struck the east side of the ravine.”

Given is described as Caucasian, 6-foot-2 inches tall, 221 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.

Despite the unusual circumstances, Daly said there is currently no criminal investigation open in relation to the case and are just hoping to track down Given or anyone else involved as soon as possible.

“At this time it’s a missing persons investigation,” she said. “Since we’ve been unable to locate any persons around the vehicle, in the ravine or outside areas, it’s unknown who was in the vehicle at the time whether there was a single driver or another passenger.”

Police say there is concern for Given’s well being due to the nature of the crash, anyone with information is asked to contact Brooks RCMP at 403-794-4400.