Search Continues After Jet Ski Rider Goes Over Saskatoon Weir

Emergency crews continue to search the South Saskatchewan River after a jet ski rider went over the Saskatoon weir on the afternoon of June 20th.
At approximately 4:45pm, Saskatoon Police Service and Saskatoon Fire Department responded to numerous reports of a jet ski operator in distress near the weir at 33rd Street East and Spadina Crescent. Witnesses reported seeing the rider go over the weir and disappear beneath the water.
Saskatoon Fire Department water rescue crews immediately launched a rescue operation using a specialized vessel designed for weir rescue situations. Members of the Saskatoon Police Service Aerial Support Unit, Missing Persons Unit, Forensic Identification Section and Tactical Support Unit also assisted in the response. Drones, aircraft and watercraft were deployed to search the river and surrounding shoreline.
By the following day, officials announced that the operation had transitioned from a rescue mission to a recovery effort. The jet ski was recovered from the river and turned over to police investigators, while crews continued searching downstream and along both riverbanks. Sonar-equipped watercraft were later deployed to assist in the search.
On June 23, Saskatoon Police identified the missing rider as 32-year-old Adan Vargas Salvador, who was visiting Saskatoon from Mexico. Police said they remain in contact with his family as the search for his body continues. The family requested that his name and photograph be released publicly.
The incident occurred during a period of unusually high river flows. City officials noted that water levels and current speeds are significantly higher than normal, creating hazardous conditions on the river. The City of Saskatoon also reported that a safety boom normally installed upstream of the weir had recently been damaged by the fast-moving water and will be replaced when conditions allow.
Police and fire officials are reminding residents that the Saskatoon weir is extremely dangerous and should only be viewed from designated areas along Spadina Crescent. They caution that changing river conditions can create additional hazards and urge people to exercise caution while enjoying the river this summer.