To date, all attempts to locate 71-year-old Burnaby resident Kyung Chun have been unsuccessful since he was reported missing on Thursday, Sept.19.
“Police have managed to locate and speak with the other male who was picking mushrooms in the Fostal area with Mr. Chun,” said Sgt. Darry Little in a release. “The initial report was the male had been left with the van when Mr. Chun disappeared. However, after the interview was conducted, additional details were obtained.
“The male describes arriving at the site on Friday, Sept. 13, and gathering mushrooms. After dinner the following evening, Sept. 14, Mr. Chun decided to drive the load of mushrooms back to the coast, leaving the male in camp. The other male remained at the site with other mushroom pickers and when Mr. Chun failed to return, made his way to Revelstoke and returned to Vancouver. It appears Mr. Chun may have gotten lost on the back roads or taken a wrong turn eventually getting his vehicle stuck.”
Search and Rescue members from various locations within the West Kootenays have conducted several ground and water searches without success. The search and rescue members have also conducted a grid search of the area immediately surrounding the van, again without finding any trace of Chun.
The search was suspended Tuesday, September 24, however, there are plans to have it resume on Wednesday, weather permitting.
All parties involved including his family, the RCMP, search and rescue members are concerned for his well being. The temperatures have been dropping overnight and the weather has been inclement.
