A Vernon doctor presumed drowned in the Thompson River in Kamloops has been identified online in a GoFundMe campaign for his grieving family.
Dr. Michael Mthandazo is said to have gone into the river for a swim with his son during a recreational soccer tournament in Kamloops on July 30, according to the online fundraiser.
While cooling off in the water off McArthur Island, the current of the river picked up speed and, while Mthandazo was able to help his son get out of the water, the doctor was unable to do so himself and was swept away.
“Dr. Mthandazo was the sole income earner and does not have any extended family locally, so his wife, Julia, and their two sons (ages 11 and eight months) will need a lot of support from the community,” the fundraiser, organized by Noha Fossen, stated.
The fundraising page — started with the blessing of Mthandazo’s wife to alleviate some of the financial burden ahead for the family — also stated the body of Mthandazo has yet to be recovered and the search continues.
It stated Mthandazo moved to Vernon in January 2021, where he worked as a family physician. Mthandazo worked at the shared practice Mainstreet Medical at 3207 30th Ave.
The incident occurred at McArthur Island during the annual Kamloops Invitational Soccer Tournament over the BC Day long weekend.
Kamloops RCMP received the report at about 5:30 p.m. on July 30.
Staff-Sgt. Kelly Butler said witnesses told police the man was swept away by the current and did not resurface.
“Civilians attempted to assist, but were unable to reach him and several boats in the area also responded, but were also unable to locate the male,” Butler said.
Kamloops Fire and Rescue and the RCMP have been searching the river for Mthandazo’s body.
“There’s been searches by drone, searches by aircraft, searches by boat,” Cpl. Crystal Evelyn told KTW last week. “The underwater recovery team has been assisting with the investigation, as well.”
Evelyn told KTW Monday (Aug. 8) she doesn't believe any active searches for Mthandazo are ongoing on the river currently, but the file is not closed and locations to search are still being assessed. She said river conditions also continue to be assessed on a regular basis to determine when best to continue to search, noting the speed of the river and clarity of the water are factors that can complicate searching.
She said the RCMP underwater recovery team, the Kamloops RCMP and police air services are all involved.
"They've searched the area as much as they can for the time being and they're continuing to assess it," Evelyn said.
Evelyn said at this point, the file is considered a missing person investigation.
—This file was updated with more information from Kamloops RCMP Cpl. Crystal Evelyn
