British Columbia

Search for missing swimmer off Vancouver's Wreck Beach 'stood down' after body found

Police say the search for a man who went missing after swimming at Vancouver's Wreck Beach has been "stood down" after the discovery of body in the water on the shores of Third Beach in Stanley Park Friday afternoon.

Mounties say body found at Third Beach matches description of missing swimmer

Beachgoers enjoy the sunset at Wreck Beach in Vancouver.
Mounties say the detachment that serves the area around the University of British Columbia got a call about a distressed swimmer at Wreck Beach on Thursday afternoon. (Benoit Ferradini/Radio-Canada)

Police say the search for a man who went missing after swimming at Vancouver's Wreck Beach Thursday has been "stood down."

This comes after a body was discovered in the water off of Third Beach in Stanley Park Friday around 1:30 p.m.

Mounties say the body matches the description of the missing Wreck Beach swimmer, but his identity has not yet been fully confirmed. 

Police say the detachment that serves the area around the University of British Columbia got a call about a distressed swimmer at the popular clothing-optional beach on Thursday afternoon.

An RCMP news release says the man was reportedly "yelling for help and struggling to swim."


Police say a bystander attempted to rescue the man but lost sight of him after returning to shore to "avoid succumbing to the waters themselves."

Mounties say an extensive search by divers deployed from a hovercraft and two inflatable boats from the Kitsilano Coast Guard station failed to find the man.