Search of Fraser River after single report of plane crash finds nothing, set to continue

MAPLE RIDGE (NEWS 1130) — A search that was spurred by a single report of a small plane crashing into the Fraser River in Maple Ridge is set to continue Sunday.

Mounties say the report was that a small plane had gone into the water near the intersection of Lougheed Highway and 280th Street.

RCMP launched an air, water and ground search after receiving a call Saturday afternoon, but had found nothing by the evening.

“Police have attended various points on the river –Langley, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and Abbotsford– with no signs of any debris,” according to RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Chris Manseau.

“Searchers have looked all over. They’ve gone up and down the river banks and our helicopters have gone up and down the river. We’re not finding anything yet. So far, that’s a good sign.”

The search involved police from at least four cities, and several search and rescue teams.

“This is something that you want to take very, very seriously. You don’t want to just do a cursory glance. We want to make sure we have every avenue covered before we say nothing happened.”

A VPD boat equipped with sonar and an underwater search team is being sent to the area Sunday morning.

Callers to NEWS 1130 Saturday afternoon reported police looking into the water from the Golden Ears Bridge, helicopters flying overhead, and boats searching the river.

One caller who owns a plane said police knocked on her door to make sure she knew where it was and that no one in her family was out flying it.

Manseau says anyone who has information should call the Ridge Meadows RCMP at  (604) 463-6251.