Missing wildlife photographer found safe near Golden

RCMP successfully located a wildlife photographer from Golden Sunday, after his truck became stuck and he spent an unplanned night outdoors.

The Golden and District Search and Rescue team was dispatched early Sunday morning, after the man’s wife reported him overdue Saturday night.

She called RCMP at around 9:45 p.m., saying her husband had failed to return from a day-long wildlife photo excursion in the Blaeberry Valley area.

Mounties were unable to immediately locate the man’s vehicle in the area.

On Sunday morning, with the help of an RCMP helicopter, a second helicopter and fixed wing aircraft, the man and his vehicle were spotted by search and rescue crews.

The man told police his truck had become stuck Saturday and that he spent the night trying to dig out the vehicle.

He initially abandoned the truck, but later returned – figuring he would have better chances of being found alongside it. Officials commended his decision.

“If you’re ever stranded but safe, never leave your vehicle when lost or stuck in a remote area,” Cpl. Dan Moskaluk with RCMP said in a press release Monday. “Searchers will have a much easier time in spotting your vehicle than spotting you walking around.”