Saskatoon weir search resumes for missing jet ski rider; safety boom damaged

Early Monday afternoon, two water rescue boats were out on the South Saskatchewan River to continue searching for a jet ski rider who went missing on Saturday, while the City of Saskatoon said a safety boom recently damaged by the fast flowing water would be replaced as soon as possible.

On June 20 at around 4:45 p.m. Saskatoon’s fire and police departments were called out to the river after reports came in of a jet ski rider in distress who went over the weir and under the water.

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On Sunday, emergency crews found the jet ski and said efforts to find the missing rider shifted from rescue to recovery.

The city said residents and visitors seeking recreational activities should stay away from the “dangerous” river and the weir, as flow rates remain well above what is typical.

The city said typical flows are about 160 cubic metres per second, currently they are almost double that at around 296 cubic metres per second.

Shortly after noon on Monday, a water rescue team went along the riverbank and beside the weir, searching for the missing jet ski rider with sonar. (Marija Robinson/650 CKOM)

Shortly after noon on Monday, members of the Saskatoon Fire Department were back in the river to restart the search.

Two water rescue boats, each carrying a handful of people, went slowly up and down the river just south of the weir.

For the start of operations, the boats primarily stayed alongside the weir and near the riverbanks, going on either side of the train bridge.

According to a release from Saskatoon Fire, crews are using sonar to try and find the missing rider. The jet ski has been turned over to police.

— with files from CKOM News