UPDATE: Search and rescue team called off after overturned boat spotted in river near Ashcroft

KAMLOOPS – A boat floating down the Thompson River near Ashcroft had Kamloops Search and Rescue searching for anyone who might be in trouble yesterday.

Search manager Alan Hobler says an overturned boat was spotted in the Thompson River yesterday afternoon, June 6, though there were conflicting reports about whether there was a person with the boat.

"There was a report of someone seeing a person in the water next to the boat," he says.

The search team found the boat, surrounded by flotsam, and Hobler says they saw no signs of a person in need during their search from Kamloops Lake to near Spences Bridge.

Hobler says the report of a person in the water could have been a mistake and notes they have been previously called out due to seat cusions or propellers looking like people in the water.

"We located a bunch of debris floating down stream, including a lifejacket," he says of yesterday's search.

As of 8 p.m. yesterday there were no signs of anyone in trouble and no missing persons reports in the area so the search was called off.

The boat may have been a derelict or come off its moorings, Hobler notes.

RCMP, B.C. Ambulance Service and fire rescue teams responded along with search and rescue. A helicopter was used along with the swift water team during the search.

“We have a helicopter flying with the swift water team,” he said at the time. “We’re searching the river banks and looking for someone in the water.”

— This story was updated at 1:12 p.m., June 7, 2016, to note the search was called off.

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