A search for missing canoer James “Dakota” Smith off northern Vancouver Island has been suspended, as police say challenging weather has made the chance of his survival unlikely.
Smith, a member of the Ma’amtagila Nation, was reported missing on Nov. 6.
“The man had left his residence earlier in the day to go fishing aboard his canoe and did not return,” Sayward RCMP said in a news release Tuesday.
They said the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) searched for Smith on the Johnstone Strait at the mouth of the Adam River, about 85 kilometres northwest of Campbell River.
Police said it was an extensive search, including helicopters, and while the capsized canoe was found, nobody was around it.
Community-led search for missing Ma’amtagila Nation man amplifies, family says resources still needed
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“Despite the intensive search through inclement weather consisting of high unpredictable winds, heavy rainfalls and the frigid water temperature, the chances of survivability have drastically been reduced,” RCMP said.
They said the continuing poor weather made it unsafe for water and shoreline searches.
“Police would like to thank anyone who assisted with the search of Mr. Smith.”
Community members and family also sought to find Smith.
CBC News has reached out to Ma’amtagila Tribe Society for any updates on the community-led search.
