Ashley Bourgeault, 31, and Dominic Neron, 28 were occupants of a plane that went missing en-route from Penticton to Edmonton last year.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/RCMP Handout
September 11, 2018 - 10:26 AM
REVELSTOKE - Police say the wreckage of a missing plane that took off from Penticton last November has been found near Revelstoke.
RCMP say in a news release that B.C. Ambulance notified Revelstoke RCMP yesterday afternoon, Sept. 10, that the ambulance service's helicopter crew observed the wreckage of the plane, which was white and burgundy with a tail marker matching the missing plane.
Const. Spencer Lainchbury says in an email to iNFOnews.ca that the downed plane was found east of Revelstoke in Glacier National Park.
On Nov. 25, 2017, the Kamloops Flight Centre requested assistance from the Penticton RCMP in providing information relating to a plane that left from Penticton and was heading for Edmonton. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre confirmed the plane was a Mooney M20D with the markings of C-FESN. Dominic Neron from Parkland Country, Alta., 28, was the pilot, and 31-year-old Ashley Bourgeault from Edmonton was the passenger.
Police say information led officers to believe that the plane had crashed in the Revelstoke area. A nine-day search was conducted but the plane's occupants were not located.
Revelstoke RCMP have had an open missing person and plane investigation since last December, and frequently deployed resources to look for the plane as well as working and meeting with the family, according to the release. The families of the missing people have been active in the area, using drones, seeking public tips, and searching different areas.
Heather Shtuka, mother of Ryan Shtuka who has been missing from the Sun Peaks area since February, says Bourgeault's and Neron's family has reached out to her in the past to help her navigate resources you can access to help find a missing loved one.
The site of the plane crash is being accessed by authorities to conduct the investigation in partnership with the B.C. Coroners Service.
"The RCMP wishes to thank the helicopter pilots and crew of the BC Ambulance Service for their watchful eyes in locating this plane and assisting to bring closure to the two families," the release states.
Neron's sister, Tammy Neron, expressed relief in a Facebook site set up exclusively to help in the search.
Her post on the Missing Plane: Find Dominic & Ashley site says the discovery meant her birthday wish came true.
"Our families cannot thank each and every one of you enough for embracing us during what's been the hardest 10 months of our lives," she said.
Neron thanked police, search and rescue officials and everyone involved in looking for the aircraft.
— With files from The Canadian Press
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