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Vehicle retrieved from Findlay Creek

Still no sign of two young men missing since June 8 as their truck is pulled from the water near Canal Flats

The truck in which two young men went into Findlay Creek on June 8 has been pulled out of the water, according to a statement from Cranbrook RCMP.

Stephen Thomson, 21, of Canal Flats and Nicholas Hoefnagels, 19, of Carstairs, Alberta were reported missing on June 9 after they failed to return to their campsite at Whitetail Lake.

A subsequent search found signs a vehicle had gone off the forestry road into Findlay Creek and personal belongings of the two men were found nearby.

However, the creek was flowing too high and too fast to get to the vehicle, which was finally sighted underwater on June 18 after the family of the missing men paid for a blasting permit.

Continuing efforts to recover the truck were hampered by last week's extreme rainfall, which markedly increased the river flows in Findlay Creek.

Receding water levels revealed that during the rainfall event, the truck had been pushed downstream and was now visible and accessible.

"Family and friends of the missing men brought a skidder to the area which hooked the truck and pulled it to shore," said Cpl. Pat Prefontaine. "The truck has now been towed from the location. The damage to the truck from the water pressure was extensive.

"Neither of the deceased were located in the vehicle wreckage and the search will continue as environmental conditions permit."