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UPDATED: Police identify man recovered from Goose Creek

Nelson RCMP have identified the man who drowned at Goose Creek on Saturday night as Edward Posnikoff, 72, of Crescent Valley.
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This car is well away from Goose Creek's usual edge.


Nelson RCMP have identified the man who drowned at Goose Creek on Saturday night as Edward Posnikoff, 72, of Crescent Valley.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Dan Seibel says around 7 p.m. Posnikoff went to check on water levels and flooding on and around his property in the 3300 block of Pass Creek Road.

He was last seen on a private bridge that connects his property to the road. Posnikoff's brother went outside half an hour later to find the bridge washed out and no sign of him.

Seibel says it's not known exactly how the man fell into the creek: “We have no idea and may never know ... He could have slipped en route or been on the bridge when it was washed away.”

With a neighbour's help, police were contacted shortly after 7:30 p.m.

Nelson Search and Rescue members, already in the area to carry out an evacuation order on Slocan Valley West Road, were joined by a police dog team and the Crescent Valley, Tarrys, and Beasly fire departments to look for Posnikoff.

However, the effort was hampered by the weather as well as rapid and high water, and no trace was found before the search was suspended late Saturday. It resumed Sunday morning, and around 10:30 a.m., a body was located in Goose Creek, caught up in some trees along the shore.

Nelson Search and Rescue has since recovered it, and it has been positively identified as Posnikoff. His family has been notified and victims services is providing them with support. The BC Coroners Service and RCMP are still investigating.

“RCMP caution residents, pet owners and hikers to avoid flooded areas and fast running streams and rivers,” Seibel said. “Until current conditions improve, area residents with pets should place them on leash and have them under close supervision around these waterways.”