UPDATE: Friday morning:
Bulkley Valley Search and Rescue (BVSAR) is getting help from search and rescue groups who came from around the province to help in the search, bringing the number of SAR groups combing the area around Kitseguecla Road to 19.
BVSAR says local First Nations groups, the Salvation Army, Bulkley Valley Amateur Radio group and our local PEPAir group are also assisting.
The search base was also moved Thursday to a more central location with better air access and safer parking.
UPDATE Wednesday afternoon:
RCMP and Search and Rescue have ramped up the ground search for missing person Frances Brown. Forty SAR personnel from Northern B.C., the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island including one dog continue to comb the area Brown was last known to be. Both SAR helicopter and the RCMP helicopter are schedule to deploy to aid in the search.
UPDATE Wednesday morning:
Search by Bulkley Valley SAR teams, Police Dog Section and two helicopters (one RCMP equipped with FLIR – thermal imaging) on Oct. 17 was negative. Search will resume today with additional SAR teams from others areas.
Story
At 9:20 p.m. on Oct. 14, the Smithers RCMP received a complaint of a missing overdue mushroom picker in the Kitseguecla Road area. Frances Brown, 53, became separated from her cousin and did not return to their vehicle.
The companion searched for Brown for some time before notifying the police.
Smithers RCMP members responded and remained in the area with lights and sirens periodically activated in the hope Ms. Brown would focus on the origin of the light and noise. Brown is deaf in one ear.
Bulkley Valley Search & Rescue commenced a ground search early Sunday morning and also commissioned a helicopter to assist. Terrace RCMP Police Dog Section are also searching the area, along with two Smithers RCMP members.
Fire remains were located and the search continues.
Fortunately, she has some back country experience, is in good health, was prepared with adequate clothing (rain gear, long johns, hiking boots) and has a lighter. The area endured light to moderate precipitation overnight with mild local fall temperatures.
Brown is described as:
· Aboriginal
· 5′ 8″ tall
· 119 pounds
· Long brown / grey hair & brown eyes
– Submitted by Smithers RCMP.
