Coroner takes over after Skeena River search for three boaters ends tragically

PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. – The coroner has now taken over the investigation into the deaths of three people on the Skeena River east of Prince Rupert, B.C.

Two more bodies were pulled from the waterway Wednesday afternoon, ending a search that began Sunday when two men and a woman were reported overdue.

The body of one man was found in the river, near Frizzell Hot Springs, about 33 kilometres east of Prince Rupert, on Tuesday but the search had to be suspended because of extreme weather conditions.

Rescuers returned to the same area on Wednesday and found the woman and the second man a few hours later.

There is still no sign of the boat they were using or what may have caused the tragedy, but Prince Rupert RCMP say they are confident the matter is not suspicious.

Names of the three victims haven’t been released but all three were from the Terrace area. (CFTK)