The search continues for two missing women who reportedly ran into trouble this weekend on the Grand River.
A witness called emergency services Saturday, at around 9:30 p.m., stating that they saw two boaters in distress near King Street East and River Road East.
Waterloo Regional Police said their teams searched Saturday night and again on Sunday, but were ultimately unsuccessful in finding the women or the boat.
The search team, including OPP dive experts, returned to the Grand River on Monday.
Police also held a press conference to update the public on their efforts.
Reporters at a Waterloo Regional Police press conference on two missing boaters on July 15, 2024. (Dan Lauckner/CTV News)
“We are still hoping to locate the two females,” Supt. Brenna Bonn said.
Police could not comment on whether it was still a rescue or a recovery mission.
Teams, they explained, are facing multiple challenges on the water.
“It is quite a treacherous location, at the bottom of a dam,” Bonn said, adding that it’s near a “turbulent catch basin.”
Grand River near King Street East and River Road East in Kitchener on July 15, 2024. (Dan Lauckner/CTV News)
The second challenge is the rainy weather.
“It obviously impacts the flow of the river,” Bonn explained. “We have been in contact with the Region of Waterloo and Grand River Conservation [Authority] in regards to impacting the flow of the water and what we can do to change [it], in order to assist with our efforts.”
Police said their search is currently contained to one specific area along the Grand River.
Drones have also been used multiple times to explore the area.
Police said members of the public have asked if they can assist in the search, but due to the unpredictable weather, they’re asking them to stay away.
A Waterloo Regional Police officer at the Grand River near King Street East and River Road East in Kitchener on July 15, 2024. (Dan Lauckner/CTV News)
“At this time we are strongly advising against anyone coming down to the river,” said WRPS public information officer Melissa Quarrie. “Let the emergency service professionals continue the search, because even for them at this time, it’s very treacherous to be out on the water and slippery underfoot. We wouldn’t want to have an incident where we have another search ongoing.”
Police said they will be providing an update on the search Monday evening or Tuesday.