An RCMP patrol boat in Nova Scotia. Photo: NS RCMP.

Gold River, Nova Scotia – A large-scale search and rescue operation is currently underway in Gold River as Lunenburg District RCMP leads a multi-agency effort to locate a missing swimmer. The incident occurred on July 24, 2023, when three men were tubing in the Gold River and encountered a harrowing situation that led to one man’s disappearance.

At approximately 6:30 p.m., emergency services received a distress call reporting a missing swimmer near Beech Hill Rd. in Gold River. Responding swiftly, Lunenburg District RCMP, along with fire and Emergency Health Services (EHS) personnel, arrived at the scene.

Information gathered from witnesses revealed that three men were tubing when their tubes capsized. While two of the men managed to make it safely to the shore, the third individual was last seen drifting downstream.

The urgency of the situation prompted a coordinated response from multiple agencies. In addition to Lunenburg District RCMP, assistance is being provided by the RCMP Air Services, RCMP Police Dog Services, the Joint-Rescue Co-Ordination Centre, the Chester Volunteer Fire Department, the Western Shore Fire Department, and various ground search and rescue teams from neighboring jurisdictions. Together, they are meticulously combing the area in a bid to locate the missing swimmer.

As the search efforts extend into Tuesday, authorities remain hopeful.

Nova Scotia has been grappling with exceptionally high water levels following historic rainfall over the weekend. Due to the unpredictable conditions of waterways across the province, the RCMP is issuing a public safety advisory. Residents and visitors are urged to exercise extreme caution when near or around water bodies until water levels return to normal.

The Lunenburg District RCMP is encouraging anyone with additional information about the incident or the missing swimmer’s whereabouts to come forward immediately. Any information, no matter how small it may seem, could be crucial in helping the search teams find the individual and bring him to safety.