RCMP and Search and Rescue workers went through a rollercoaster of triumph and tragedy over Christmas with the rescue of one elderly man and the grim discovery of a young man who died in his vehicle.
Concerned family members called RCMP when 27-year old Chris Batko from Valleycliffe didn't show up as expected for Christmas dinner with his mother in Nanaimo.
Batko was last seen on Dec. 20 and spoke with his girlfriend on the phone just before he disappeared.A search was launched just after noon on Christmas Day.
Based on information from family and friends who believed he was likely exploring logging roads in his Toyota pick-up, the initial search efforts were concentrated on the backcountry roads near Squamish.
The search area was expanded to a 500 km radius when investigations revealed one of Batko's last recorded debit transactions included a fuel purchase from a local gas station.
Given the size of the search area, SAR teams from Lions Bay, the North Shore and Whistler were called to assist by scouring the backcountry roads in their response areas. Search efforts were suspended at 7 p.m. on Christmas Day and resumed at daybreak on Dec. 26.
The search was again expanded at 10:30 a.m. on Boxing Day when a 76-year-old male was reported missing after he failed to show up at his son's residence in Squamish on Christmas Day.
Search and Rescue members in a RCMP helicopter from Vancouver soon spotted the semi-conscious man on a snow covered logging road in the upper Squamish River valley near the junction of the Elaho River, approximately 50 km from Squamish.
Rescue workers report the man had spent the night in his camper van after it had become stuck in snow. When his fuel ran out on the morning of Dec. 26, the man, who was not prepared for winter conditions, continued on foot further up the road through 50 cm deep snow.
Searchers spotted the man from the air nearly two kilometers from his van.The SAR team had to carry the individual, who was suffering from moderate hypothermia, around 200 metres to the RCMP helicopter. He was transported by helicopter to a waiting ambulance at the Squamish airport and then to the Squamish General Hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, the search continued for Batko. Before its conclusion, five fixed wing aircraft and two helicopters had been dispatched to assist in the search efforts, which stretched from Duffey Lake Road to Coquitlam.
SAR volunteers finally spotted Batko's vehicle around 11:30 p.m. on a secluded logging road off of the Mamquam River Forest Service Road, 6 km from Squamish. Batko was found inside the vehicle deceased.
RCMP is investigating the cause of death and has stated that no foul play is suspected.
