'He has a big heart': Search still on for man missing near Fairy Creek
Activists camped out in the Fairy Creek area of Vancouver Island say a 61-year-old man is still missing nearly two weeks after he was last seen.
On Oct. 22, Lake Cowichan RCMP said they were searching for Gerald Kearny, who was last seen on Oct. 13.
Kearny, who also goes by "Smiley," was last seen at a Fairy Creek protest encampment known as Ridge Camp, said the Rainforest Flying Squad (RFS) in a release Monday.
He had spent six days staying between two different camps in the area, and was last seen leaving Ridge Camp around 10 a.m. on Oct. 13, according to RFS.
He told campers that he was planning on hiking down a trail from Ridge Camp to Heli Camp, where he was expected to retrieve some belongings, including his cellphone and a large hiking pack. He told campers that he was returning home to take care of his cat, who was being looked after by a friend in his absence.
The Rainforest Flying Squad says it's about a two hour hike to get from Ridge Camp to Heli Camp.
"It is considered a difficult hike, but is relatively well marked with flagging tape, with ropes to assist hikers in the steepest areas," said RFS.
The environmental group says Kearny was not seen on the trail or at Heli Camp after he departed.
One person told the RFS that they saw Kearney on the Pacific Marine Highway in the afternoon of Oct. 13, though the group says his belongings were never retrieved.
"For several reasons, it was not realized for days that Kearny was missing," said the RFS, adding that cellphone coverage is usually unavailable in the area.
FATHER OF TWO
Cowichan Search and Rescue was called in and searched the area on Oct. 21, but were unable to find Kearny after two days, according to the Rainforest Flying Squad.
"They searched everywhere they safely could, but much of the mountain is treacherous terrain, especially in wet weather," said the RFS. "Drones were reportedly used to search a larger area."
Kearny is described as a 61-year-old white man who stands 5' 4" tall and weighs roughly 210 pounds. He has shoulder-length grey hair and was last seen wearing a purple sweater with a red hooded sweatshirt overtop. He may have also been wearing a dark raincoat.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Sooke RCMP at 250-749-6668.
The RFS says that Kearny was travelling on foot and that he may have been trying to hitchhike.
"If you drove the Pacific Marine highway since the evening of Wednesday, Oct 13th, please take a moment to recall whether you saw anything unusual," said the group. "Sometimes even the smallest detail can be important."
The RFS says Kearny arrived in Fairy Creek with the leader of the Saskatchewan Green Party, Naomi Hunter.
"He is the happiest, nicest guy," Hunter said in a statement Monday. "He has a big heart, and has always been involved in social justice and environmental movements."
Hunter added that Kearny is a father of two and that he was involved in anti-poverty activism in Ontario before coming to B.C.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.