Search for missing Cape Breton soldier to resume in Ontario

The search for a 19-year-old soldier from Cape Breton is expected to resume Wednesday in Owen Sound, Ont.

Pte. Andrew Fitzgerald was last seen around 4:30 a.m. Saturday at a Petro-Canada gas station in Owen Sound.

According to a GoFundMe page created in support of his family, Fitzgerald is originally from Cape North, N.S. but works at the 4^th Canadian Division Training Centre in Meaford, Ont.

He just graduated from a basic trade qualification course known as Development Period One Infantry and is scheduled to join the 2^nd Battalion, the Royal Canadian Regiment in Gagetown. He had been out celebrating his recent graduation when he disappeared.

The Canadian Armed Forces, Ontario Provincial Police and Owen Sound Police Services have combined resources to search for Fitzgerald. Search crews have been combing through backyards, streets, stores and in the water, but heavy rain hampered their efforts on Tuesday.

Officials say they expect to resume the search Wednesday.

More than $6,300 had been raised through the GoFundMe page as of 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, surpassing its goal of $4,000.

According to the website, Fitzgerald’s parents attended his graduation and were still in the area when he disappeared. Any money raised will be sent to the Cape North, N.S. couple to help them with expenses while they remain in Ontario.

A vigil was held Tuesday evening in Cape North, where dozens of Fitzgerald’s friends and family members gathered to light candles and pray for his safe return.

Fitzgerald was last seen wearing a black baseball hat, a red plaid button-up shirt, a white T-shirt, beige pants and black skateboarding shoes.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact police.