Richmond News

RCMP divers are continuing to plumb the murky waters of the Fraser River for a 17-year-old Richmond man who is feared to have drowned.

The RCMP is searching for Harnake (Nick) Olak, who was last seen swimming in an area closed to the public in the south arm of the Fraser River in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Olak and a female friend were reportedly swimming in the river at the end of Riverport Way, south of the Silver City entertainment complex.

The two teens were in an area that is fenced off, said Cpl. Nycki Basra of the Richmond RCMP. At around 4:15 a.m., the RCMP received a call from a female who reported that she had lost track of Olak. The two had been swimming.

Coast Guard hovercraft and an RCMP helicopter searched the area, but the teen was not found. An RCMP dive team was also involved in the search and continues to search for the young man.

Swimming is not advised anywhere in the south arm of the Fraser River due to strong river currents and tides.

"The current and the tides are so strong it was even dangerous for the divers to be in there," Basra said.

Olak's family has released photos of the young man in the hope someone finds him. He is described as six feet tall and 160 pounds with short black wavy hair. He has four Chinese character tattoos on his shoulders. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the RCMP at 604-278-1212.