Mounties in Alberta say an American tourist who jumped into a rapidly moving waterfall in Banff National Park is likely dead.
RCMP spokesman Cpl. Mathew Howell says efforts to recover the 25-year-old man’s body from the water at Johnston Canyon entered its second day Sunday.
Howell says the man, who was visiting Alberta with friends from Pennsylvania, jumped into the water on Friday, just after 6:30 p.m., and didn’t resurface.
He says Parks Canada hasn’t been able to send divers due to the dangerous terrain and is instead using cameras, but strong currents caused by spring melt are making it difficult to see under water.
The popular tourist site, located west of the town of Banff, has signs saying entering the water in the canyon is not allowed.
Howell said the recent incidents including Friday’s are a reminder of the need to stick to predetermined trails and avoid jumping into waters amid the spring melt.
“Obviously, no jumping into waters, even if a pool sometimes looks very calm – you don’t know what’s going on underneath,” Howell said. “The first foot or two could be fine and then your legs go in and you get swept away.”
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