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Surrey family needs help to find man who fell off a boat on the Fraser

NORTH DELTA - The family of a Surrey man who fell overboard on the Fraser River on June 7 hopes someone will help them find him.

Amit Naress, 36, was trying to free the boat from pilings and barges near the Alex Fraser Bridge when he fell into the river.

The Coast Guard searched for him until nightfall and then resumed the search with a hovercraft and helicopter the next morning.

Delta Police Sgt. Sarah Swallow said police found the pleasure craft near the bridge, with another man on board.

"The man told police that his friend had fallen overboard while trying to free the boat from Fraser River mooring pilings after they had run out of fuel and drifted into the pilings and barges," Swallow said.

On June 11, the RCMP Air One helicopter did another shoreline search with no luck.

Swallow said police don't suspect foul play or any other suspicious circumstances.

"Naress was not wearing a life jacket and was unable to swim," she said. "At this time, Naress's family has requested his name and photo be released in case there is any information from the public that may help them find their loved one.

"The family does not wish to provide any further comment to media at this time."

Swallow said police are treating Naress's disappearance as a missing persons case.

tzytaruk@thenownewspaper.com



About the Author: Tom Zytaruk

I write unvarnished opinion columns and unbiased news reports for the Surrey Now-Leader.
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