Authorities have called off the search for the body of a pregnant Clearwater, B.C. elementary school teacher presumed to have died with her husband in a tragic crash last weekend.
Mounties announced Thursday that search and rescue teams had executed “all possible search efforts” in the area surrounding the crash site, but were unable to locate the remains of 30-year-old Courtney Buck.
“Mrs. Buck is now classified as missing presumed drowned,” the RCMP said in a release.
The body of her husband Skye Buck was found in the couple’s vehicle, which was recovered from the Thompson River Tuesday.
Mr. Buck, who would have turned 31 on Tuesday, also taught at a school in Clearwater.
Mounties believe the couple lost control on an ice and snow-packed stretch of Highway 5 Sunday afternoon then crashed down a 30-metre embankment into the rivr.
Their vehicle was fully submerged in water by the time authorities arrived on scene.
Search efforts began shortly after the crash, and continued five days with help from above by the RCMP Air Services helicopter, on the ground by Mounties and search and rescue volunteers, and on the water using Department of Fisheries and Oceans vessels.
Mounties said they will continue to assess potential future search efforts as river conditions change.
Dive teams also conducted an extensive underwater search, using sonar equipment to scour areas too dangerous to descend into, but turned up no sign of Courtney Buck, who was seven months pregnant.
Mounties and the BC Coroners Service are continuing to investigate the crash and provide support to the community and families of the deceased.
