Last Friday, two separate searches where underway in the Burns Lake area following separate reports of two missing individuals.
The search for a male boater, identified as Brett Smith of Prince George by north district RCMP, who went missing on or near Takysie Lake, approximately 50 kms south of Burns Lake sometime on or after August 6, the last date that Smith’s family had heard from him.
Smith’s boat was found abandoned on the north shore of Takysie Lake, and on Aug. 11, Cst. Lesley Smith reported that search and rescue (SAR) units from Nechako Valley, Houston, Fort St. James and Terrace were involved in the search. A side sonar unit was used in Takysie Lake, and RCMP police dog services assisted with the ground search while a helicopter conducted an aerial search of the lake area.
Search efforts were unsuccessful, and the RCMP was sad to announce that Smith is now presumed drowned. Despite this horrible news, search efforts continue at Takysie Lake.
In an unrelated missing person report, a well-known 74 year-old Burns Lake resident, was reported missing near Eagle Creek on Friday afternoon when he did not return from berry-picking at an expected time. A search began immediately in the Eagle Creek area, close to Burns Lake.
The search involved Burns Lake detachment RCMP, Prince George RCMP police service dogs, Burns Lake and Bulkley Valley SAR, family, and local volunteers. A friend of the family hired a helicopter for the search.
The man was found late in the day and taken to Lakes District Hospital, where he was examined, treated, and released at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday evening. He is reported to be in good condition.