Westside Road landslide/COSAR

By Vernon Matters Staff

Search ends in tragedy

Body recovered from Okanagan Lake after landslide near West Kelowna

Apr 14, 2025 | 9:18 AM

A search and rescue team in Kelowna says the body of a missing man has been recovered from Okanagan Lake, nearly two weeks after a massive landslide swept his vehicle off the road.

The landslide occurred on Westside Road around 9:45 p.m. PT on April 1, prompting the closure of the road in both directions, according to Central Okanagan Emergency Operations.

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) confirmed the man and his vehicle were found Saturday, submerged about 47 metres below the lake’s surface.

The submerged vehicle and missing driver were located at approximately 155 feet of depth off the shore/COSAR

West Kelowna RCMP launched a missing person investigation last week after the individual was last seen in the area of the slide on April 1.

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The landslide sent more than 20,000 tonnes of debris across Westside Road and into the lake, prompting extensive recovery efforts both on land and in the water.

Search crews say volunteers dedicated nearly 1,000 hours to the search before making the discovery over the weekend.

The man’s identity has not been released.