UPDATED: SAR members, with help from 442 squadron Cormorant helicopter, continue search for missing Surrey man
By Castlegar Source
Search and Rescue teams, with help from the 442 squadron Cormorant helicopter, scanned the shoreline of Kootenay Lake from Nine Mile, north of Nelson, on to the Corra Linn Dam near Bonnington Sunday with no luck locating the missing Surrey man.
It was the third day SAR members searched for the 56-year-old Surrey resident Paul Tayes, who went missing from Kokanee Provincial Campground after staff noticed his vehicle and trailer were still in the same location Thursday.
RCMP received the call from Campground staff informing police of the odd disappearance of Tayes.
However, police and SAR teams had very little information to go on to focus the search.
Friday and Saturday, SAR members did a blanket search of the area surrounding the Kokanee Park Campground.
A Search and Rescue member told The Nelson Daily there was a report of something suspicious in the water near Nine Mile on Kootenay Lake Sunday.
Members used a SAR boat to focus on the shore line near Willow Point.
With the 442 squadron Cormorant helicopter still in the area, officials scanned the area of Kootenay River from Nelson to Fortis BC Corra Linn Dam with no success.
The Cormorant helicopter was seen hovering over the Kootenay River Sunday afternoon between Taghum and Corra Linn Dam.
After exhausting all avenues, SAR members have called off the search for Tayes until new leads materialize.
More than 100 SAR members from throughout the region were in the Kokanee Park area taking part in SAREX workshops and training exercises during the weekend.
No luck finding missing Surrey man
Search and Rescue members from all over the southeast region of the province have had no luck finding the missing 56-year-old Surrey resident someone close to the search told The Nelson Daily Sunday.
Paul Tayes was discovered missing from Kokanee Provincial Campground by staff Thursday (September 4). Staff noticed Tayes’ vehicle and trailer were still in the same location, but couldn’t find middle-aged Lower Mainland man.
More than 100 SAR members from throughout the region were in the Kokanee Park area taking part in SAREX workshops and training exercises during the weekend.
Nelson police and SAR searching for missing man
Police are asking for help in finding a lost Surrey man, according to RCMP Sgt. Darryl Little.
“The Nelson RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance in locating 56-year-old Surrey resident Paul Tayes,” Little said.
“Mr. Tayes arrived at the Kokanee Provincial Campground Tuesday, Sept. 2, around 8:30 pm. He paid for one night’s accommodation after having travelled from Cranbrook.
Little said the following Thursday (Sept. 4), park staff noticed his vehicle and trailer were still in the same location, but couldn’t find Tayes.
“The park attendants searched the immediate area, however were unable to locate him,” Little said. “A search of his trailer and vehicle located all his personal belongings. Nelson Search and Rescue, along with Creston and South Columbia SAR, are being assisted by the RCMP dog handler and a local helicopter. The search began last evening and is continuing at this time.
“Mr. Tayes has no known medical conditions and this behaviour is out of character for him. Enquiries reveal he planned on camping for one evening at this location then travelling to Summitt Lake. His family in the Lower Mainland has been notified of his disappearance and are quite concerned.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the RCMP.
