Search continues for missing plane in BC Interior

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KAMLOOPS (NEWS 1130) – The search for a light aircraft missing somewhere in the BC Interior with a young couple on board is continuing today.

The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre says poor weather conditions hampered the search yesterday, and the rocky and heavily-treed terrain is making it difficult to spot the small plane.

The pilot, 21-year-old Alex Simons, and the passenger, 21-year-old Sydney Robillard, were last seen in Cranbrook on Thursday while refueling before continuing their flight to Kamloops.

The pair, from Lethbridge, Alberta, had been flying to Kamloops to visit Simons’ parents.

Lieutenant Colonel Bryn Elliott with the Royal Canadian Airforce says there are more than a dozen planes and two helicopters searching today.

“The search area extends from Cranbrook to Kamloops, it’s approximately 150 miles long. The area we’re searching is very mountainous and very wooded. There’s many valleys and lots of places…that pilots can fly, and…areas that are difficult to access.”

He says weather has been a challenge.

“Searching in the mountains is also difficult with the shadows, so time of day is critical for us, to make sure the light is optimal.”

Lt. Col. Elliott says there have been sightings reported by members of the public, which are being investigated, and teams are trying to track the pair’s cell phone signals. He says searchers are still hopeful of finding the pair.

“The area is vast, the aircraft had a lot of fuel. So they could have gone a long, long way and found a little area to land in. ”

“We are still absolutely in search mode and we’re doing our best to find the aircraft.”

Anyone who may have seen the aircraft or has relevant information is asked to call the search and rescue tip line at 250 331 1967.

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