He drowned saving his son
Photo: GoFundMe
The July 30 Kamloops drowning victim has been confirmed as Vernon doctor Michael Mthandazo.
Mthandazo’s body has not yet been recovered from the Thompson River.
Police are searching the river with divers, a boat, a plane and a drone after he disappeared in the river near MacArthur Island.
In a GoFundMe campaign set up over the weekend, the family said: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce that the search for Dr. Michael Mthandazo continues.”
Mthandazo moved to Vernon in January 2021 and works as a family physician at the Mainstreet Medical Building.
He was in Kamloops to play in a recreational soccer tournament.
According to the GoFundMe page, Mthandazo apparently went swimming with his son but had to rescue the boy from the strong current.
“The current began to pick up speed and although he was able to help his son out of the water, he was unable to get out on his own,” the page states.
“Unfortunately he was swept away and his body has not yet been found.”
Mthandazo was his family’s sole earner and had no extended family locally.
He leaves behind his wife Julia and two sons aged 11 and 8 months.
Friends started the fundraising campaign to ease some of the family’s financial burden.
Photo: Castanets staff
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