Ten teams searching for missing woman from Nanaimo
Dozens of volunteers from across Island scour the area where her truck was found
A massive search continued on Tuesday for a 73-year-old Nanaimo woman missing since Sunday, with 10 search and rescue teams from across Vancouver Island scouring the area where her truck was found.
The ground search for Bertha Hanson, who goes by the first name Faye, centred around Timberlands Road and Ninatti Road about five kilometres west of Nanaimo Airport, which is where her blue 2014 Silverado was found on Monday.
Hanson left home about noon on Sunday. A friend contacted Nanaimo RCMP on Monday morning, when she realized Hanson had not returned.
Mounties, dozens of search and rescue volunteers and a canine unit searched all day Monday and continued at daybreak Tuesday. A helicopter was not used on Tuesday, said Ladysmith RCMP Cpl. Rick Fraser, because there was a concern the noise could prevent searchers from hearing a call for help.
Donna Clarke Young, a cousin of Hanson who lives in Tappen, near Salmon Arm, said Hanson’s disappearance has been difficult for her three daughters, husband and brother.
“We are hoping against hope that she is found alive,” Clarke Young said in an email.
“She is a very slight woman, but strong. She has cousins spread all over Western Canada. She is well loved.”
Hanson loves spending time outdoors and was a moderator on the Facebook group Hiking and Foraging Finds, a forum where people can share their discoveries while hiking, foraging and hunting.
Her Facebook page is filled with photos of wildlife, flowers and trees. In December, she posted a photo of her standing among moss-covered trees with a quote attributed to American naturalist John Muir: “Into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul.”
Nanaimo RCMP said Tuesday afternoon that no more civilians are needed in the search, as the area is being covered by the 10 teams.
Hanson often takes her camera while mushroom picking and carries it in a red Molson Canadian cooler bag. She has no known medical conditions, but is likely not dressed for an extended stay outdoors, police said.
Anyone who sees Hanson is asked to contact police.