‘We want to bring closure’: Searchers try to beat snowstorm to find missing Cape Breton senior
RCMP and volunteer search and rescue personnel spent Wednesday trying to find any sign of a missing Cape Breton senior before an impending snowstorm hits the region.
Susan Bain, 79, hasn't been seen since taking her dog for a walk near her Middle River home on Dec. 3.
The dog returned home but so far, efforts to locate Bain have been unsuccessful.
Last week, searchers were battling snow squalls trying to find her. This week, efforts were suspended for two days due to heavy rain that soaked the area.
With a clear sky and ground Wednesday, searchers were hopeful that the weather was finally cooperating, before the next storm moves in.
"Now that we have bare ground, it might be easier to find her,” said Paul Vienneau, a search manager with Cape Breton Search and Rescue. "All the snow is gone up in this area. Now we have some probable areas that we're trying to cover before the impending snow storm tonight."
RCMP said the plan was to search until shortly after dark Wednesday.
There was some worry that if the heavy snow forecast for the area sticks around, Wednesday could be the last chance to search bare ground for a long time.
"Time is really not always on our side,” said RCMP Cpl. Chris Marshall. "There's always concern when we do get a dumping of snow, especially in Cape Breton. Those kinds of areas do tend to be more rugged. The terrain is less even, so it's harder for the snow to melt, and the ground does freeze a little sooner. But again, it's something we're going to continue to review day by day."
As a helicopter combed the woods and the water, including where a bridge washed out near the missing woman's home, searchers admitted the chances of finding Bain alive are diminishing.
"We want to bring closure to the family one way or the other,” Vienneau said. “And once the snow comes, it's going to be harder."
RCMP said they plan to reassess search efforts once the snowstorm is over.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
Ontario urges mpox testing amid spike in cases
Ontario health officials are urging public health units to test for mpox, the viral disease formerly known as monkeypox, amid a spike of confirmed cases in the province.
More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
'Don't expect any deals:' Expert says stores may not offer steep discounts on post-Easter chocolate
Those looking to snap up cheap treats at their local grocery store next week following the Easter long weekend could be in for a bit of a surprise as the rising cost of cocoa continues to drive up the price of chocolate, one expert says.