Man trying to save dog vanishes in freezing, turbulent creek, Canada authorities say

A man died in a rushing British Columbia creek while trying to rescue a dog swept away by freezing, turbulent waters, Canada authorities told news outlets.

The man and his wife were walking the dog at Cypress Falls Park in West Vancouver at about 9 p.m. Friday, May 19, when the dog fell in a creek, police told the Vancouver Sun.

The man went in after the dog but was swept away by the swift current, police told the publication. His wife called 911.

Firefighters and rescuers searched into the night for the man, Daily Hive Canada reported.

Family members found his body at about 6 a.m. Saturday, May 20, while the search continued, CBC News reported. The dog also died.

“It was horrendous,” Paul Markey of North Shore Rescue told the publication. “Probably the worst possible thing you could imagine.”

The man’s body was recovered at about 8 a.m., the Vancouver Sun reported.

“This was not the outcome we had all hoped for and it is an enormous tragedy for the family of the victim and our community,” Sgt. Mark McLean said in a statement, Daily Hive Canada reported. “Our hearts go out to them.”

West Vancouver is about 5 miles northwest of downtown Vancouver.

This story was originally published May 21, 2023 at 2:13 PM with the headline "Man trying to save dog vanishes in freezing, turbulent creek, Canada authorities say."