Miles Canyon search now recovery operation, say Yukon RCMP

Whitehorse RCMPsay that a search for amissing 19-year-oldin the Yukon River at Miles Canyon, near Whitehorse, has turned into a body recovery operation.

On Tuesday afternoon,RCMPConstable Julia Fox told CBC that"at this stage, given that he has not been located or seen since, and the last witness that saw him did see him go under the water, unfortunately we are looking into this as a recovery."

Whitehorse RCMPreceived a report of a man in distress at Miles Canyon on the afternoon of June 15, they said in a news release Tuesday.Witnesses reported that the man had jumped or slipped into the canyon from a cliff, near the bridge.

"Witnesses reported seeing the male attempting to swim to the bank," read the release. "Other witnesses reported the male appeared unresponsive. They attempted to grab the 19-year-old male, however were unable to do so.

"A witness then jumped in the water in a further attempt to save the male, however the male had slipped under the surface of the water, and hasn't been located since."

Fox saidthat "right now we are still looking into whether it was intentional or if it was an accident.

"Witnesses noted that he had either jumped or had slipped into the water, so at this stage we are still looking into that."

The RCMP press release statedthat foul play is not suspected at this time, and are asking anyone with any information to contact them at 867-667-5555.