Crews scour Bow River for bodies with water levels at yearly low

Calgary police, fire and RCMP are searchingthe Bow River on Wednesday in an attempt to recover any bodies that might be in or near it.

Both the HAWCS and RCMP helicopters are taking part in the search, along with the Calgary police mounted unit. The fire department's dive crew is on standby in case something is spotted in the water.

"Obviously anything we can do to assist bringing closure to families that have lost loved ones, that is the ultimate goal," said Calgary Fire Department spokeswoman Carol Henke.

The operationstarted with an aerial search in the HAWCS helicopter.

"The flight crew and observers, if they see anything along the river that they feel might be human remains, they'll GPS pin it and ground units will continue that search," said Insp. Don Coleman.

The search is being conducted because water levels this time of year are at their lowest and clearest.

Searchers set outat theBearspawDam in the northwest, and planned to movesouth to the southerncitylimits, and continue east toward the Saskatchewan border usingtheRCMPhelicopter.

"The search is not for a specific individual but it is an unfortunate reality that some people voluntarily enter or fall into the dangerous watersofthe river and are unable to get themselves out," police said in a release.

"By conducting the search, police hope to be able to bring some answers to families that have missing loved ones."

If any bodies are retrieved, police will work with the Medical Examiner's Office to determine the identityofthe person and whether any criminal offence was committed.

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