Dozens of volunteers from Duncan and Indigenous communities on Vancouver Island combed the banks of the swollen Cowichan River Wednesday for clues to the whereabouts of Ethan Sampson.
The 28-year-old man was last seen in the river near Quamichan Road West on the evening of Jan. 30, though it’s unclear how he ended up in the water.
The North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP, Cowichan Search and Rescue and North Cowichan Fire Department initially were called in to assist with the search due to dangerous conditions on the river.
Since then, volunteers from Duncan as well as the Cowichan, Malahat, Stz’uminus, Snuneymuxw, Tseycum communities have pulled together to bolster search efforts , said Jen Charlie, a family friend and councillor with Cowichan Tribes.
“For the family, they have said it’s very heartwarming for them to see everyone coming together to assist in finding their son,” she said.
“They do want to convey the message to Ethan that they dearly miss him and they just want him to come home safely.”
Charlie said about 60 volunteers and up to five boats were assisting with the search Wednesday, continuously combing the banks of the river.
North Cowichan RCMP Const. Pam Bolton said police are in contact with the searchers and the family.
“The Cowichan Tribes community have really come together and pulled together,” she said. “They’re meeting up daily and doing their own search.”
Charlie said the search has been complicated by the large amount of debris in the water in the wake of heavy rainfall and flooding.
“There’s a lot of logs in the water that are really prohibiting a lot of boats from going where they want to go,” she said. “Just for the safety of our community members, we’re advising them to ensure their safety is a priority as well.”
Sampson is described as Indigenous, five feet, 11 inches tall and 120 to 150 pounds with a slender build. He was last seen wearing rolled-up jeans.
Anyone with information on Sampson’s whereabouts is asked to call the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at cowichancrimestoppers.com to leave a secure tip online, or call 1-800-222-8477.
