Search for missing 71-year-old man temporarily suspended
By Castlegar Source
Police have reported updates in the investigation for missing mushroom picker Kyung Chun of Burnaby.
“To date, the attempts to locate 71-year-old Mr. Kyung Chun have been unsuccessful,” said RCMP Sgt. Darryl Little, adding the man has been missing since Sept. 19.
“Police have managed to locate and speak with the other male who was picking mushrooms in the Fostal area with Mr. Chun. 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,” Little explained. “The male describes arriving at the site on 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.
“Since the original complaint was received, Search and Rescue members from various locations within the West Kootenay area 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 Mr. Chun.
“The search was suspended for today, Sept. 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.”
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The RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance in locating another male who has gone missing near Nakusp. On Thursday, the RCMP were notified by some campers in the Fostal area of a van that appeared to be stuck and had not moved for approximately five days. Fostal is located approximately 25 kilometers south of Nakusp after crossing the Arrow Park Ferry. The van was located a further 1 hour drive into the bush area where a base camp had been established.
Police determined the van belonged to 71-year-old Kyung Chun of Burnaby. His family advised Chun had left with another male, presumably to go mushroom picking. Unfortunatley, no destination was provided to his family. The other male has been in contact with the family stating Chun had left the van to pick mushrooms and not returned. He stayed for an additional length of time then managed to make it to the highway where he hitch-hiked to Revelstoke. Unfortunately, the male did not report it to the police at the time and made has way back to the lower mainland. Police will be speaking to this individual to gather additional information.
Search and rescue conducted a cursory search on Thursday and will be conducting a more thorough search beginning this morning. Mr, Chun does suffer from some health concerns and requires medication. Police are concerned for his health as the result of being outside for a week.
Anyone who may have seen Mr, Chun is asked to contacted their local RCMP office.
