Saskatoon police have identified the jetskier who went over the weir on the South Saskatchewan River as 32-year-old Adan Vargas Salvador, a visitor from Mexico. He remains missing after the incident on June 20, 2026.
Police have been in contact with Salvador's family, who requested that his name and photo be released to the public. The search for his body is ongoing along the river.
Incident Details
On Saturday, June 20, at 4:46 p.m., Saskatoon police and fire crews responded to the area of the weir at 33rd Street and Spadina Crescent after receiving numerous calls about a jetskier in distress. The Saskatoon Fire Department deployed water rescue crews using a specialized vessel designed for weir rescue operations.
Multiple police units, including tactical support, missing persons, forensic identification, and aerial support, have been involved in the search. Drones, a plane, and a boat have been used to scour the riverbanks and water.
River Hazards
Police and fire officials warn that increased water levels and speed in the river are creating additional hazards. The weir, completed in 1940, was originally built to regulate water flow and raise water levels. According to the City of Saskatoon's website, it stopped serving a functional role after the Gardiner Dam was built in 1967 and now exists as a heritage feature.
Weirs pose extreme danger due to reverse currents that trap objects and repeatedly force them underwater, making it difficult to surface. Police remind the public that the weir must never be approached and should only be viewed from designated areas along Spadina Crescent East.
