Three day search for skier in southeastern B.C. ends with man found alive, well

TRAIL, B.C. – Members of a southeastern British Columbia search team are celebrating 2020 with what they call an “incredible” day.

South Columbia Search and Rescue president Mike Hudson says in a statement that 34-year-old Mark Gayowski was found alive on New Year’s Day after being reported missing on Monday.

Gayowski vanished while skiing down the back of Red Mountain near Trail, B.C.

Heavy snow, fog and treacherous terrain hampered the search but Hudson says the Rossland, B.C., resident was located Wednesday in good health.

He was airlifted out of the backcountry and taken to a clinic for medical care but the statement says the step was purely precautionary.

Hudson says 90 search and rescue members from across southeastern B.C. took part in the three-day search, supported by Trail RCMP, Castlegar-based Dam Helicopters and the staff at Red Mountain.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 2, 2020