Swimmer Missing After Being Swept Away at Stamp River Park Near Port Alberni

Olivia Singh

7/7/20261 min read

A female swimmer is missing after she was reportedly swept away by the current at Stamp River Provincial Park near Port Alberni, B.C., on Sunday evening.

RCMP say the park remains open to the public, but the section of trail near the park’s waterfall has been closed so search crews can operate safely.

The search is ongoing and involves the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad, Arrowsmith Search and Rescue and Port Alberni RCMP.

Witness Says Swimmer Was Swept Away Above Falls

Port Alberni resident Vera Elfstrom said she was at the falls with her husband and nine-year-old son when the incident happened at around 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

Elfstrom said her family was getting ready to leave when a group of young people came and sat nearby.

She said they were above the falls, which she described as a long series of gradual cascades about seven metres high, where the water funnels into a narrow gorge.

According to Elfstrom, a young woman from the group swam across a deep pool to a rock and was swept away while trying to return.

“It was really awful,” Elfstrom said. “It was just a horrible thing to see.”

Bystanders Called for Help

Elfstrom said people nearby immediately tried to respond.

She called emergency services while her husband ran down the path to see if he could help.

Search crews have since been working in the area as they continue trying to locate the missing swimmer.

B.C. Parks Warns Against Swimming Near Falls

B.C. Parks warns on its website that sections of the Stamp River include strong currents and slippery rocks.

Visitors are advised not to swim in the park or above the waterfalls.

The warning comes as search teams continue their work near the closed section of trail.

News

Stay updated with the latest BC news stories, subscribe to our newsletter today.

SUBSCRIBE

LINKS

Ethics