Search efforts are ramping up as emergency responders race towards the clock to discover a missing B.C. couple who went tenting within the Okanagan backcountry.
The Hamakawas, Glen (67) and Eva (56), had been final seen Friday morning, Oct. 1, after they left their campsite on the Crump Leisure Website on their black Polaris side-by-side ATV. They haven’t been heard from since.
Randy Brown, the search supervisor with Penticton Search and Rescue, mentioned further volunteer search and rescue groups had been being deployed to the scene on Sunday.
“Groups from Princeton, Oliver, Osoyoos and Kelowna assisted. Final evening the managers bought collectively and deliberate once more at this time, put out a request for groups within the area as distant as Merritt, and the command centre is about up once more this morning on the Crump Recreation Website and the search has already commenced,” Brown informed International Information.
Glen and Eva Hamakawa.
Submitted
Brown mentioned the realm, located simply off the Princeton-Summerland Highway, is well-liked with campers, hunters and other people utilizing their leisure automobiles, however the topography is huge, rugged and steep.
“It is a vital space with plenty of trails and we’re an space with no pre-determined location the place they’re heading, so it’s searching for 100 sq. miles making an attempt to cowl all of these areas and among the trails are very steep, the terrain is steep, so we’ve bought numerous work to do.”
Brown mentioned the realm, located simply off the Princeton-Summerland Highway, is well-liked with campers, hunters and other people utilizing their leisure automobiles, however the topography is huge, rugged and steep.
Google Maps
Brown mentioned the pair, who dwell in Bridal Falls, didn’t challenge a misery sign, no GPS monitoring machine is obtainable, and there’s no indication which course the Hamakawas travelled.
Police say Glen and Eva Hamakawa left their campsite on Friday morning, Oct. 1, of their black Polaris side-by-side ATV.
Penticton Search and Rescue
“There are many hunters within the space, so we hope that any individual may have a clue or have seen them, after which they’ll contact the police and we can slender down the search space,” he mentioned.
Brown mentioned the urgency of the scenario is heightened given the colder temperatures. It’s unknown if the lacking couple is ready to climate the weather.
“When the temperatures fall, that raises the precedence. Yesterday, we hit it arduous. All people acknowledges the importance of discovering individuals shortly so groups are on the market,” he mentioned.
Glen Hamakawa is described as 5’9″ and 190 lbs, sporting largely black clothes with blue denims.
Eva is 5’2″ and 205 lbs, additionally sporting black driving gear with blue denims.
Each had been sporting black helmets.
“RCMP are very involved for the Hamakawas because the climate has been inclement and contemplating the age of the couple, police are anxious they will not be ready for colder temperatures; it’s hoped they’re discovered quickly,” mentioned Sgt. Bob Vatamaniuck in a press release.
Anybody who could have seen the couple touring within the space within the final 36 hours are requested to name the Penticton RCMP non-emergency quantity at 250-492-4300, or in the event that they know the present and actual whereabouts of the Hamakawas, to name 9-1-1.
Brown mentioned the pair are skilled campers and ATVers, nevertheless, they’re new to the Crump Leisure Website space and will not be aware of the terrain.
“They’ve many a few years of going into the backcountry with their side-by-side, nevertheless, it is a new space for them to discover,” he mentioned.
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