Missing senior located in rural area south of Creston

Police are thanking the community and all agencies for their joint efforts in locating a missing senior who was found in a rural area south of Creston on Tuesday (Oct. 27) evening.

On October 27, at approximately 4:33 p.m., Creston RCMP received a report of a missing senior. The individual had gone missing from a large rural property in the afternoon.

Family and residents conducted initial searches before police attended.

As darkness fell and temperatures threatened to dip below freezing, RCMP intensified efforts to locate the missing senior.

Creston RCMP officers requested additional specialized resources, including local Search and Rescue volunteers, a drone team utilizing thermal imaging technology, and the RCMP Police Dog Service from Castlegar.

Despite the challenging terrain and darkness, officers and searchers continued their efforts throughout the evening.

At approximately 9:00 p.m., an RCMP Police Dog Service officer located the missing senior approximately one mile from where they were last seen.

Officers say the senior was found inside a travel trailer on a nearby rural property and needed immediate medical attention.

BC Emergency Health Services attended and transported the senior to hospital for assessment and treatment.

“This was an excellent example of the dedication and professionalism our officers bring to protecting vulnerable people in our communities,” said Cpl. Rick Goodwin, Creston RCMP Detachment Commander.

“Our officers immediately recognized the urgency of the situation and coordinated a significant search effort alongside Search and Rescue volunteers, drone specialists, and Police Dog Service.

“The determination of everyone involved, particularly the persistence of frontline officers and the specialized capabilities of Police Dog Service, ultimately led to the senior being located and receiving the medical care they urgently required.”