A key piece of evidence has been found in the search of a Kelowna man who has been missing for two weeks.
When William Hermakin, 49, left his home on April 26, he had his all-terrain vehicle, ATV, in the box of his pick-up truck.
On April 29, an ATV was found on fire at the entrance to a tunnel on the Old Kettle Valley rail line near Naramata.
Because the machine was so badly burned, it took this long for police to retrieve a serial number.
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But now RCMP confirm the ATV was Hermakin’s.
A ground and air search of the tunnel area conducted on Wednesday failed to turn up any sign of the missing man or his pick-up truck.
With the discovery of the destroyed ATV, Hermakin’s brother says he fears foul play is involved in the disappearance. However, the Kelowna man does suffer from depression.
RCMP warn that Hermakin should not be approached due to a history of violence. Police say Hermakin may be unstable. Anyone who locates him should call 911.
The fire caused damage inside the tunnel as well.
Flames from the burning ATV were sucked into the train tunnel, igniting and destroying many of the support timbers.
The timbers had been installed as safety improvements for the Trans-Canada Trail.
Police estimate it will cost $75,000 to repair the damage.
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