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NewsMassive search on Mount Washington over
The manager of Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue says one of the largest missing persons search operations ever on the North Island has wrapped up on Mount Washington after a body was discovered close to the vehicle owned by missing 75 year old Saanich resident Shirley Burstall. "Certainly this was one of the most extensive searches in the region over the past couple of years. Upwards of 140 searchers in the last few days were involved from teams as far south as Michosin, specialist teams included trackers, swiftwater rescue experts and we were also using underwater cameras and every resource we could utilize," explained Paul Berry who spearheaded the massive search effort. Berry recounted the series of events leading to the discovery of the body early Wednesday night. "We were actually just beginning to ramp-down and suspend operations until Saturday, when the RCMP dog team did one more run and the winds had just shifted in a different direction so he was able to find the body." "It was a very difficult few days with many search teams, and great cooperation from the RCMP, Conservation Officer Service teams, Dog Teams and several helicopters along with horse search teams, every possible resource we could put in place to try and resolve this mystery as to where Shirley was." Berry says it can be very tough on searchers when a body is finally discovered. "Certainly it is hard on our search crews, but we do prepare for these sorts of events and given the length of time that she was missing we were definitely concerned she could survive that long but we always remained hopeful." Comox Valley RCMP and the Coroner continue their investigation, including the process of confirming the identification of the body. Most Viewed Stories
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