Body of 39-year-old missing hiker found in B.C. park
Digital Reporter
Saturday, January 2, 2016, 5:37 PM - Ridge Meadows RCMP have confirmed that a body found in Alouette Lake in Golden Ears Provincial Park was that of a 39-year-old man who had been missing since New Year's Day.
The hiker's body was found fully-clothed about 200 metres offshore around 10 a.m. local time Saturday by a rescue worker. He has been identified by his family as Wade Bathurst of Pitt Meadows, according to CTV.
He was last seen leaving the Gold Creek campground around 2:30 a.m. Jan. 1. He told his family he was going to make a phone call and set off fireworks down on the beach.
The unlit fireworks were found onshore.
"It's unclear what happened or why he was in the water," search manager Rick Laing with Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue told CBC.
A K9 unit and several members from both Ridge Meadows and Coquitlam search and rescue teams were called for help. The search was temporarily called off Friday evening due to the cold. However, operations were resumed Saturday morning.
2 calls to start off the year. Back on Sumas mountain for stuck 4X4 & Golden Ears to assist with missing person. pic.twitter.com/L3IJUxLf6Q
— CFVSAR (@CFVSAR) January 2, 2016
A colder than normal airmass has been over the province for the last few days. Extreme cold and Arctic outflow warnings remain in effect for some places.
Police say there are no signs of foul play. BC Coroners Service are taking over the investigation.
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