Missing Oregon family found
An Oregon family of four, missing for more than a week in Northern B.C., has been found safe.
Authorities found the American couple and their two toddlers in a remote area on Wednesday afternoon after an exhaustive search.
“Our understanding is that they are in fair condition,” said Dave Jephsen of Terrace Search and Rescue, adding that it was a “very happy outcome, obviously.”
The group of four was spotted from the air around 3 p.m. Wednesday and rescued from the west side of Kinaskan Lake shortly thereafter.
RCMP said Jeffery Phan and Michelle Lesaca, both 24, and their two children Satana Phan, 3, and Satan Phan, 2, had planned to travel to the Philippines from Oregon but changed their plans just before boarding their flight.
The family told the RCMP that instead, they had planned to travel to Alaska, camping along the way.
“Seems they were not adequately prepared for their adventure,” the Mounties said in a news release. “Although they came with some camping supplies it seems they may have underestimated the vastness of northern B.C., such as the distances between services and were not adequately prepared for the trip they had planned.”
Despite their ordeal the police say the family is doing well.
“The family is being supported … to help them get to their destination.”
The family’s car, a black 2018 Toyota Yaris, was found about 500 metres from Hwy. 37 near a power line by BC Hydro crews on Monday, kicking off the search. The family had left a sign on it indicating that the driver had possibly run out of fuel and had gone to get some.
All checks with area gas stations were unsuccessful, RCMP said.
Jephsen credited the citizens of northern B.C. for coming together to mount a successful search, but admitted there were still many questions left unanswered.
“Why the vehicle ended up there, we don’t know,” he said. “Thank goodness (the car) was where it was.”