Missing jet skier identified as 32-year-old Mexican as search continues

Police in Saskatoon have identified a missing jet skier as a 32-year-old Mexican man who was visiting the city.

According to police, numerous calls reported a jet skier in distress near the weir on the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon shortly before 5 p.m. on Saturday.

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The search for the missing man, which has included numerous watercraft, aircraft and drones, has since shifted to a recovery effort as police and firefighters comb the river and its banks for the man’s remains.

“Through investigation the operator of the jet ski has been identified as 32-year-old Adan Vargas Salvador visiting from Mexico,” the Saskatoon Police Service said in an update on Tuesday.

“Family have requested that his photograph and name be released.”

The jet ski Salvador was riding was previously recovered, and the Saskatoon Fire Department said sonar is being used in the search efforts.

The incident occurred shortly after a release of water from the Gardiner Dam on Lake Diefenbaker, which was expected to raise the water levels in the river by about 0.6 metres and increase the river’s flow rates significantly.

Meanwhile, the City of Saskatoon said a safety boom intended to keep boaters away from the weir was damaged by the fast-flowing water, and will be replaced as soon as possible.

“Given current increased water levels and speed, river conditions are constantly changing and could have additional hazards,” the police force said.

“We would like to remind the public that the weir must never be approached and should only be viewed from designated areas along Spadina Crescent East.”