Search on for missing woman after reported slip into river east of Clearwater

CLEARWATER – Police are searching for a Regina woman after she reportedly fell into the Mad River north of Vavenby last week.

On Friday, May 11, shortly before 9 p.m., Clearwater RCMP received a 911 call from a 36-year-old Regina man, who said his 31-year-old girlfriend Kristi Lavallee, also from Regina, had just fallen into the Mad River near Highway 5 north of Vavenby and had been swept away in the fast-moving current.

Clearwater RCMP, search and rescue, B.C. Ambulance and Victim Services all responded. Patrols and searches were conducted along the riverbank, from the location where Lavallee was last seen to the railroad bridge over the North Thompson River, but the searches were not successful.

An RCMP helicopter was dispatched to help in the search with negative results so far, Clearwater RCMP say in a news release. Aerial searches are continuing, but ground searches are too treacherous due to the rivers flowing rapidly and at capacity.

Police say initial reports indicate Lavallee was on the lower portion of the old Highway 5 trestle bridge when she slipped and fell into the river below.

"Due to the extreme currents of the river there is the possibility that she could have been swept into the North Thompson River," Clearwater RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Grant Simpson says in the release. "We are continuing our search and ask anyone in the area who may see something in the river or along the banks to contact the RCMP immediately."

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