RCMP have scaled back the search for a snowmobiler missing south of Chetwynd.
Authorities believe the 31-year-old Fort St. John man was buried in an avalanche triggered Sunday, February 2.
The search involved SAR volunteers from Prince George, Tumbler Ridge, Fort St. John and Chetwynd along with three RCMP Police Service Dogs and helicopters,
Searchers managed to recover the man’s snowmobile, but efforts have been hampered by poor weather conditions and dangerous snow. Controlled blasting was needed for searchers to regain access on Friday February 7 and the following day.
Search and rescue efforts are no longer underway,
states Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesperson for the BC RCMP in a news release. Despite all efforts to locate this missing person, police now believe their search for the Fort St. John man is a recovery operation. The search is not over, and RCMP will monitor the area of the slide from the air as the snowpack melts.
Chetwynd RCMP continue to provide the missing man’s family with updates, while RCMP Victim Services provide ongoing support.
