A search is underway for a member of the Neskonlith Indian Band, who has gone missing in Northern B.C.
On July 1, Lyle Martin, 61, from the Neskonlith Indian Band, near Chase, went to the Fort Nelson area to join a mushroom picking camp located on the Eskai Road.
Witnesses reported that he was dropped off at a certain location where he entered into the bush on foot. Martin had made arrangements to get picked up there by 5 p.m. later that day but never returned. Despite significant efforts by a large group of mushroom pickers in the area, they have not been able to locate him.
Northern Rockies RCMP were notified of the missing man on the morning of July 2, and local search and rescue members were immediately deployed to the area. Martin's back pack was located several hundred meters from where he was dropped off by his friend, however searchers could find no trace of him nearby.
"Though Lyle Martin is known as an experienced outdoors person with advanced hunting, fishing and back country skills, we are extremely concerned” stated Cst. Lesley Smith, North District Media Relations Officer “He was equipped with the necessities for a one day excursion and we have since located that back pack. Our search efforts will continue with assistance of numerous volunteers on the ground as well as in the air, in hopes of locating Lyle Martin”.
RCMP advise that the terrain in this area is extremely rough and difficult to maneuver on foot due to fallen trees, thick brush and the swampy environment. Search teams and other mushroom pickers are finding the conditions extremely challenging due to the overwhelming presence of bugs.
Fort Nelson Search and Rescue crew have joined the search efforts, along with volunteers on ATVs, a Police Service Dog from Fort St. John and a local helicopter which continues to assist with an aeriel search of the area.