News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

On Saturday August 15, 2009, coordinated search efforts for missing pilot Robert Woodhead were continued, with searchers completing the search of the extended area on late Saturday afternoon.  53 year old Robert Woodhead of Stoney Creek Ontario was not located.

Search crews from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Hope Search and Rescue, who conducted the surface and bank search by river boats did recover the pilot's flight helmet and pieces of debris from the Bell 212 helicopter.  Robert Christopher Woodhead operated the machine owned by Alberta based TKE Elbow River Helicopter Co. and was contracted to work on the Intipam forest fire near Lytton BC at the time of the crash Friday afternoon August 14th.

"Given the seasonal work that is currently being conducted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on the Fraser River, search efforts to locate the missing pilot will continue with their assistance in addition to Hope Search and Rescue monitoring areas of the river.  We did receive assistance during the search from river area outfitters including Kumsheen Rafting Resort who know the area and conditions well, they along with the area communities are aware of the missing status of the pilot.  With First Nations Bands fishing activity and other recreational use on the river over the next weeks there are a lot of eyes on the Fraser that will assist in locating the missing pilot", stated RCMP spokesman Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.

"We have met and spoken to the family this morning prior to making this update public, as it denotes that it is believed that Mr Woodhead perished in the river after exiting the crashed helicopter.  In incidents of this nature, with the incertitude of the person's fate it leaves all in a suspended state of deep grief".... Cpl. Dan Moskaluk

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