Search shifts to New Waterford
Glace Bay man’s family hasn’t heard from him since Nov. 19
The search for a missing Glace Bay man has shifted to New Waterford.
On Tuesday the Cape Breton Regional Police Service contacted Cape Breton Search and Rescue for assistance in their efforts to locate David Gerard Simmons.
Police were contacted by Simmons’ family on Nov. 19, after they had not seen or heard from him since Nov. 13 and were concerned for his health and wellbeing.
Police set up a command post behind the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital early Tuesday afternoon and volunteers gathered for instructions for search areas.
Regional police spokesperson Desiree Vassallo said investigators have confirmed Simmons was last seen in the early afternoon of Nov. 15, walking on Plummer Avenue in the direction of Hinchey Avenue towards the ocean.
In a media release, police are asking for anyone living in this neighbourhood to please take an extra look around their properties for anything that could assist them in search efforts.
Vassallo said investigators have also confirmed Simmons was at the New Waterford emergency room earlier that day and spent a few minutes speaking to two people in the entrance area.
Police are hoping those two individuals will come forward, since they might have information to assist in determining Simmons’ whereabouts.
Const. Michael Byrne, incident commander at the command post on Tuesday, said they were beginning the search at the shoreline off King Street and working their way back towards New Waterford.
“We are checking fields, checking all areas so we can rule these areas out.”
Simmons is described as about 5’8” tall, 150 lbs with gray hair. Investigators believe on the day in question he was wearing a blue
jacket with red sleeves, a blue sweater, black jeans and white sneakers.
Kathy Lee Gorman, formerly of New Waterford and now living in Ontario, was watching searchers as they slowly made their way through a field by the ocean by Hinchey Avenue.
“Sad to hear anytime someone is missing,” she said. “It’s cool and damp, a lot of credit has to go to searchers who give their time doing this.
“I hope this man is found safe somewhere.”
The search was ended late
Tuesday afternoon, before dark. Investigators will be meeting Wednesday to determine whether or not a search will resume.
Byrne also appealed for people to check their yards and any old buildings on their property for any possible clues on Simmons whereabouts
Anyone with any information to assist in the efforts to locate Simmons is asked to contact police at 902-563-5151 or Crime Stoppers at 902-562-8477.