Simpcw First Nation elder found north of Barriere has leg amputated

KAMLOOPS – The Simpcw First Nation elder who was found in Barriere earlier this week has had his leg amputated at Royal Inland Hospital.

Ray Lampreau, 72, is recovering in hospital but there's no time frame of when he could be released, Chief Nathan Matthew says, adding the support from their community and from Lampreau's family are playing a big role in the elder's recovery process.

Lampreau spent 32 hours with his leg pinned under his pickup truck on a remote back road north of Barriere. He spent that time watching search planes, all on the lookout for him, fly overhead.

Lampreau left his house around 6 a.m., Monday, May 16, to look for firewood. The search for Lampreau began that evening when he failed to return.

The next day, more than 70 people took part in the search near Chu Chua, scouring back roads between Little Fort and Barriere for the man.

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