‘We are treating this as a recovery effort’: WRPS on search for two missing boaters

The search for two missing boaters in the Grand River is now being treated as a recovery effort.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) provided an update on the investigation during a media conference at Riverbluffs Park in Cambridge on Tuesday.

WRPS Inspector Matt Halliday said a body was spotted in the river Monday night by an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) helicopter that was conducting an aerial search.

The body was located in the Old Mill Road and Pinnacle Drive area of Kitchener, and confirmed to be a deceased female.

“At this time, we are awaiting the results of a post-mortem to determine the identity of the deceased,” said Halliday. “Given the duration of the search and length of time the two females have been missing, we are treating this as a recovery effort.”

The two missing women were in a side-by-side personal floatation device in the King Street and River Road area on Saturday night, police said, when a witness saw them in distress in the Grand River. They were calling for help as they went over a dam.

“They were not observed resurfacing,” Halliday said.

The water conditions at the time of the incident are described as being treacherous and are believed to be a contributing factor.

The side-by-side floatation device was later observed deflated in the water.

Halliday said, “Based on the information gathered, we do not believe they were wearing life jackets at the time.”

He called the investigation active and said the search efforts would be ongoing by the OPP helicopter and the Cambridge Fire Department.

The public is asked to stay away from the area because of the ongoing hazards due to elevated water levels, fast river flows, and slippery banks — and because authorities are not requesting assistance.

Police also spoke on behalf of the families of the two missing women, saying they are requesting privacy during this difficult time.