NZ woman died in bridge jump in Canadian Rockies

The Bruhn Bridge, where the Trans-Canada Highway crosses the Sicamous Channel. Photo / Salmon Arm Observer

A 23-year-old woman from New Zealand is dead after jumping from a highway bridge in Canada.

The Salmon Arm Observer in British Columbia has reported that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were called to the Bruhn Bridge over the Sicamous Channel in the Canadian Rockies at 2am yesterday local time.

"According to an RCMP press release, the woman was in medical distress after jumping from the bridge into the channel," the newspaper reported.

"The woman was one of four people to jump from the bridge, which is approximately 20 metres from the surface of the water. When she did not immediately resurface, other people present helped her to shore.

"According to the RCMP release, the woman was transported to a local hospital and then to a larger hospital in the area before she was pronounced dead."

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington said the NZ High Commission in Ottawa was in contact with local authorities about the woman's death.

"For privacy reasons no further information will be provided," she said.

Facebook posts show that the bridge has long been a popular place to jump from.

Skyler jumping the sicamous bridge

Posted by Cory Demone on Wednesday, 8 July 2015

A July 2015 post shows young people jumping off the bridge in daylight, with comments such as "Awesome" and "Wow, looks like fun, be careful angel!!!"

But the NZ woman's death was the second water-related death in Sicamous this summer.

Police said initial investigation did not suggest any criminal activity was involved in the young woman's death.

The Coroners Service is now investigating the death. The news release states that no further information, including the woman's identity, will be released by either the RCMP or the Coroners Service.