Emergency crews in Saskatoon continued searching the South Saskatchewan River on Friday after a report that a woman and a dog were seen in the water near the Circle Drive North bridge. The Saskatoon Fire Department received the initial call at 11:50 a.m. CST, Chief Doug Wegren told reporters.
What crews searched and where
Crews were concentrating efforts on the east bank downstream from the Circle Drive North bridge. Two boats were launched from the 33rd Street launch and sent toward the last reported location. A diver conducted an underwater search for about an hour while police deployed drones to survey the area from above.
- Time of report: 11:50 a.m. CST
- Location: North of Circle Drive North bridge, near east bank
- Resources used: two fire department boats, one diver, drones from Saskatoon and Corman Park police, sonar equipment
On Friday afternoon, crews were using sonar to identify underwater anomalies. Chief Wegren said divers would be sent to investigate any anomalies located by sonar.
"We are hopeful it's a rescue,"
he added, while also noting at this stage the operation could shift to a recovery if necessary. It remains unclear whether a dog was actually in the water and unknown how the woman ended up there.
Context and community concern
The reported sighting falls downstream from the city weir, an area where swift currents and submerged hazards can be present even in periods of lower flow. The location will be familiar to residents who followed an earlier disappearance in the same stretch of river: in June, 32-year-old Adan Vargas Salvador went missing after a personal-watercraft incident upstream of the weir, and remains tentatively identified as his were recovered downstream weeks later.
Officials reiterated standard safety advice for river users: avoid entering the water, keep a safe distance from the bank in areas with fast-moving current, and ensure lifejackets are worn on personal watercraft. The Saskatoon Fire Department and police agencies involved did not release additional identifying information about the person reported in the river.
| Action | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial report | 11:50 a.m. CST — woman and possible dog seen in river |
| Surface search | Two boats launched from 33rd Street toward reported location |
| Underwater search | Diver searched for approximately one hour; sonar deployed later |
| Aerial support | Drones operated by Saskatoon and Corman Park police |
As the search continued into the afternoon, no confirmation had been made about the woman or a dog being located. City emergency services asked the public to avoid the area to allow crews to work and to report any relevant information to police.
The incident underscores ongoing risks along the river through Saskatoon and the importance of caution around moving water. Further updates will be provided by the Saskatoon Fire Department and Saskatoon Police Service as the situation develops.
