Saskatoon firefighters search for missing jet ski rider

(Hallee Mandryk/CTV News)

The Saskatoon Fire Department is searching for a jet ski rider who went missing while on the South Saskatchewan River.

Police and fire rescue crews were called at around 4:45 p.m., Saturday after reports of a jet ski rider going over the weir near the train bridge and 33rd Street East.

The fire department says crews responded with a specialized vessel designed for operations near the weir and initially launched a rescue.

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However, that initial rescue effort shifted to a recovery mission.

“The SFD boat 2 will search both banks and the river downstream from the Wier. The personal watercraft (PWC) was recovered yesterday and turned over to the Saskatoon Police Service,” the fire department said.

Police said several responders remained on scene Saturday evening as the investigation continued.

Pedestrian walkways in the area were closed and the public is being asked to avoid the riverbank and contact police with any information.