Deceased man found near Hazelton

THE SEARCH for a missing mushroom picker ended just before noon today when a deceased man was found in the bush 60km north of Hazelton.

  • Sep. 24, 2011 4:00 p.m.

THE SEARCH for a missing mushroom picker ended just before noon today when a deceased man was found in the bush 60km north of Hazelton.

RCMP say next of kin have been notified and that the name has not yet been released.

Clifford Hillis, 56, was reported missing late in the evening of Sept. 22 when he and Maxine George, 46, did not return as planned from a mushroom picking trip.

RCMP began a search with members of Bulkey Valley Search and Rescue and in the late afternoon of Sept. 23, George walked out of the bush to a Forest Service road approximately 60km north of Hazelton.

A passing motorist encountered George who was then taken to hospital by ambulance.

George appeared to have severe hypothermia but is currently recovering, police said in release.

They said finding George helped narrow down search efforts.

Searchers stopped looking when darkness fell last night and resumed this morning.

A RCMP service dog was also used in the search.

George and Hillis did tell family members via VHF radio at 1 pm Sept. 22 they were going mushroom picking and planned to return at 6 pm that day.

Police are telling the public to be prepared with proper clothing, have a survival kit and tell someone of a travel route when going into the back country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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