Rescue teams expect huge volunteer turnout in search for missing Squamish teen
As many as 1,000 people are expected to join the search for missing Squamish teen Richie Stelmack on Friday.
The 15-year-old has not been seen since 10 p.m. on Tuesday when his family says he went to bed.
They reported him missing when he was not in the family home on The Crescent, near University Boulevard, Wednesday morning.
Led by Squamish Search and Rescue, the massive effort to find the boy includes other SAR teams from across southwest B.C., the RCMP and a number of community groups.
“We don’t even have a clear indication of which way he went. So this is an important part of our SAR operation here,” said BJ Chute, a search manager with Squamish SAR. “It allows us to search a huge area, all of the neighbourhood and houses, in a relatively short period of time.”
Sniffer dogs from the RCMP and SAR groups are being used so search managers are asking volunteers from the public to leave their animals at home.
A command post has been set up in the parking lot near the soccer field at Quest University and anyone in the community who wants to help is being asked to report to that location for an assignment.
According to Chute, Stelmack lives with severe social anxiety.
Chute said it’s not clear why he left his home, but it is possible he is scared and hiding somewhere.
“Obviously we’re very concerned for Richie’s well-being, for his safety,” Chute said. “He has been outside for a couple of days now and we believe he is not dressed for the weather.”
Everyone in Squamish is being asked to carefully search their properties, including any outbuildings and vehicles where the boy might have sought shelter.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.