After being missing for six days, the body of Lyle Martin was located by RCMP on July 7, in the wooded area near the Eskai Road near Fort Nelson.
Martin, 61, from the Neskonlith Indian Band, went to the Fort Nelson area to join a mushroom-picking camp. He was dropped off by a friend on July 1 and had made arrangements to get picked up by 5 p.m. later that day, but he never returned.
At 11:55 a.m. on July 7, Martin’s body was located by an RCMP helicopter pilot and RCMP service dog and handler team, who were searching an area approximately one kilometre from where the missing man’s mushroom baskets and backpack were found.
A cause of death has not yet been determined. The Coroner’s Service is continuing to investigate and the man’s family is being assisted by victims services.
Scams return
On July 4, the Salmon Arm RCMP were alerted to several telephone scams that have been active in various forms for several years.
In one instance, a complainant indicated that they had received a call from “Compassion Canada,” advising that the complainant’s grandson was in jail in Calgary and required a large sum of money to get out on bail. The caller requested the money be mailed to a location outside of Canada.
In the second instance, an unknown male called the complainant claiming to be from Microsoft and indicating that there was a problem with the complainant’s computer. The caller asked for $349 to repair the computer and attempted to obtain the complainant’s banking information. A large sum of money was later found to be missing from the complainant’s bank account.
The callers and scam artists in these frauds are very convincing and professional, making it easy to believe what they are saying. Police caution the public to be wary of unsolicited calls from people they do not know.
Unscrupulous roofer
Salmon Arm RCMP have also been made aware that there is a male working the area who is targeting seniors for fraud. The man approaches elderly home-owners with promises of roof repairs, paving and home improvements, asking for a deposit on the work that is to be done.
After receiving the money, the man leaves without completing any repairs or any of the work promised. Police request that anyone with information related to this offence contact them.
Propane explosion injures senior
At 6:45 a.m., on Saturday, July 6, Salmon Arm RCMP responded in concert with the fire department and the BC Ambulance Service to an explosion at the White Lake Provincial Campground.
It was determined that a travel trailer had been leaking propane into the unit.
A 71-year-old male from Kamloops was inside the trailer at the time. He suffered severe burns and was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital.
