Cochrane Fire Services takes part in joint operation to seek out missing persons along Bow

Cochrane Fire Services in partnership with other nearby response agencies conducted a joint search of the banks of the Bow River to locate any potential missing persons lost to its waters.

The search was conducted late last week, according to a report released by the Calgary Police Service.

Approximately 75 searches from agencies including the Calgary Police Service, Calgary Fire Department, RCMP, Calgary Search and Rescue Association, Cochrane Fire Services, Alberta Forestry and Parks and Community Safety Peace Officers, worked together throughout the day to search the Bow River area from Stoney Trail in the north to Carseland in the south. Additional partners included TransAlta and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. 

"Although no human remains were located in today’s search, our Missing Persons Team remains steadfast in their commitment to finding every missing person," the report reads. "The conclusion of today’s search does not signal the end of these investigations, but rather, it provides valuable information to help investigators refocus their efforts. Each unsolved missing person investigation remains ongoing and we will continue to pursue answers for every missing person’s family.

"We’d like to thank all partner agencies who participated in and facilitated today’s search, including those who volunteered their free time to aid our efforts. Because of their dedication to our community, investigators are now one step closer to finding missing Calgarians."

According to the Calgary Police Service, so far this year, 3,572 people have been reported missing in Calgary. And while a significant majority have been safely located, approximately 0.17 per cent remain unaccounted for.