Corporal Jeff Witzke
Columbia Valley RCMP
This past two weeks, May 15 to May 28, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 163 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to:
On May 16 police were dispatched to a missing person report up at Panorama. The missing person does have dementia and is known to go off on hikes. Members attended the scene where Panorama Safety Service had already begun searching the resort. Search and Rescue was activated as well a RCMP Police Dog Services and an RCMP drone. The search was suspended due to darkness and would resume the following morning. The following day the missing person was located (safe and sound) on the ski hill by a Panorama staff member.
On May 17 the Columbia Valley RCMP were dispatched to a single vehicle collision involving a motorcycle. The incident occurred on Toby Creek Road where it appeared the motorcycle hit some loose gravel on a steep downhill grade and lost control. The driver did sustain some serious but non-life threatening injuries.
The Columbia Valley RCMP were aware of the “grad party” last weekend. Police were called to the area for two separate incidents that involved grown adults and not the partygoers, who for the most part were a non-issue. The two incidents are detailed below:
In the late evening hours on May 27 the Columbia Valley RCMP were dispatched to a single vehicle roll-over in the Poplar Flats area. It’s believed the driver was dropping some kids off at the party and may have been “showing off” when they lost control of the vehicle which rolled causing excessive damage. Thankfully no one was injured. Unfortunately, the driver demonstrated some very poor behaviour after the fact which was captured on camera. This matter is still under investigation.
In the early morning hours on May 28 the Columbia Valley RCMP were made aware of a single vehicle rollover near Radium Hot Springs. Members on scene noted the individual involved was the same adult causing problems (different adult than above) at the grad party, which they had no business being at in the first place. This individual was arrested and lodged in cells untill they were able to care for themselves. The investigation is still ongoing, however police suspect alcohol was a factor.
