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Police seek public’s help in finding pipeline worker after rental truck found near Clearwater

Daniel Ritchie’s rental truck was found off Dunn Lake Road and he was last heard of on Oct. 13.
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The Clearwater RCMP is seeking the public’s help in finding a missing man.

Daniel Ritchie’s rental Ford pick-up truck was reported abandoned 14 kilometres up 1130 Forest Service Road, off of Dunn Lake Road in East Blackpool. The vehicle he regularly uses is at a shop for repairs in Kamloops. The rental truck was picked up Oct. 8 and was due to be returned last weekend.

According to RCMP, Ritchie was last heard from on Oct. 13 and noted he did have a few days off, but was scheduled to return to work in Valemount on Monday, Oct. 18. Police confirmed he is working on the pipeline.

Many residents on social media have offered assistance in looking for Ritchie. Clearwater RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Grant Simpson said he wouldn’t discourage the additional help, as long as those people allow emergency responders the room to do their jobs.

“I think that’s really cool that everybody wants to help,” he told the Times. “I’m not going to discourage that. As long as the intent is to help, that’s perfect.”

He said RCMP and Wells Gray Search and Rescue teams are continuing to search for Ritchie. Over the last few days, they’ve had helicopters in the area and they may send out a drone with heat signature software to assist. Simpson added he doesn’t believe Ritchie purposely stopped in the area to hike, but is most likely wandering the area lost and unsure of his surroundings.

Ritchie is described as a 35-year-old Caucasian male with brown hair and eyes, five feet 10 inches (178 centimetres) tall and weighing roughly 175 pounds (80 kilograms).

Anyone with information on Ritchie’s whereabouts is urged to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).



newsroom@clearwatertimes.com

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