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Search and Rescue finds Ron Lister near No-Name Lake

Ron Lister was found on Monday, Feb. 3 hypothermic but alive

UPDATE: Members of South Cariboo Search and Rescue located Ron Lister on Monday, Feb. 3 near No-Name Lake. 

Lister was reported missing on Monday afternoon after failing to show up for work. 100 Mile House RCMP Sgt. Brian Lamb contacted South Cariboo Search and Rescue to locate Lister, a long-time Canim Lake resident and former volunteer firefighter. At the time Lister went missing he did not have his cellphone on him and was driving his grey 2017 Ford F-150 superduty truck. 

SCSAR search manager James Seeley said his team received a call around 3 p.m. on Monday to help look for Lister, 74. Knowing that Lister had last been seen driving, Seeley explained that they began a road search pattern in and around Canim Lake to try and find evidence of him or his vehicle. 

"We sent our seven teams along different roadways. Up through the 6000 block road to Hendrix Lake, out through the Schoolhouse Lake, Ruth Lake and Hawkins Lake area, South Canim Lake Road out to Mahood and Mica Mountain Road," Seeley said. "We were lucky enough to have one of the teams find him." 

Seeley said his team was searching along the 7000 Forest Service Road towards No Name Lake when they noticed tire tracks in the snow and later footprints. Following the tracks they eventually located Lister at 6:45 P.M. who had gotten his truck stuck in the snow and was trying to walk back out. 

"He was fairly hypothermic but alive. The team put him into their vehicle and drove him back out. We dispatched B.C. Ambulance and transferred him to the care of B.C. Ambulance," Seeley said. "The team did not see where his truck was but we're assuming his truck got stuck again in the snow." 

Seeley said Lister was a little confused when asked what had happened and he doesn't know why Lister was out there. That aside, Seeley remarked he is very happy they were able to find Lister considering the cold snap currently impacting the South Cariboo, with temperatures dipping below -20C Monday night. 

"It's a difficult thing do a road search pattern like that cause someone who is mobile could be anywhere," Seeley said. "We always start in a localized circle around the area where we think he was and expand from there.

"On the 6000 road up towards Hendrix there's a few turnoffs but they're not ploughed, there's no tire tracks, so there was no point searching that area. So there were some advantages because of the weather but the urgency was also because of the weather. If he had run out of fuel, got lost or got stuck again we knew how cold it was (out there.)" 

Lamb said that the search for Lister was assisted by the public, who told police he was last seen in the area of the 6000 Forest Service Road. This allowed both officers and search and rescue to search the area and ultimately locate Lister. 

"Lister was subsequently taken to 100 Mile and District General Hospital by Ambulance for exposure-related injuries," Lamb remarked. "Thank you to everyone who called in with information and of course to our volunteers at Search and Rescue." 

RCMP do not know exactly how long Lister was missing but Lamb said the last sighting of him before he was found was at 2:30 a.m. on Monday. Lamb added Lister experienced a medical event before being found. 

Following this incident, Seeley said he would like to remind the community to make sure they have a full tank of gas, extra clothing, extra food and snacks and to leave a trip itinerary with someone if you are planning to go out into the bush. These steps can help prevent tragedy and keep you safe until SCSAR locates you.

Seeley said he would also like to thank his team for their work on Monday evening. 

"My team did a tremendous job out there in harsh conditions. Their response was really heartfelt because I know Ron. It's a tight-knit community at times and when somebody you know is in trouble, it strikes you," Seeley said. "I want to thank everyone involved for the effort they put in."

ORIGINAL STORY:

100 Mile House RCMP are looking for information and tips on the whereabouts of Canim Lake area resident Ronald Bryan Lister. 

Lister, a longtime resident of the community, was last seen at the Forest Grove Legion on the night of Saturday, Feb. 1. He was driving a grey 2017 Ford F-150 super duty truck at the time he went missing. Its license plates are SA 2423. 

He lives roughly a 10-minute drive from the legion and does not have his cell phone on him. Several members of the community have published Lister's photo on social media to try and locate him. Lister is described as a 74-year-old man with grey-black hair and a grey goatee, standing at 6'2" and weighing roughly 250 pounds.

100 Mile House RCMP Sgt. Brian Lamb confirmed officers are actively working on this case. He said RCMP became aware of Lister's disappearance after he failed to show up for work on Monday, Feb. 3 and officers were asked to conduct a wellness check. RCMP now believe he has gone missing. 

"If anybody has seen a vehicle that matches that description or a man that matches that description, please call the RCMP," Lamb said. "There are apparent reports on various Facebook pages that Lister has been found which is not the case."

Lamb said South Cariboo Search and Rescue has been called in to assist RCMP. 

Anyone who has seen him or his vehicle can reach 100 Mile House RCMP at 250-395-2456



Patrick Davies

About the Author: Patrick Davies

An avid lover of theatre, media, and the arts in all its forms, I've enjoyed building my professional reputation in 100 Mile House.
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