After nearly three weeks of searching, RCMP have yet to locate Valerie Morris, a Sechelt resident who was swept away in a mudslide in Cache Creek.
“It is a difficult search as there are many components to this scene,” said Ashcroft RCMP Sgt. Kathleen Thain.
Last week, an RCMP human remains dog was used in a search over the course of three days in the areas identified for further examination. A small excavator was also used in the search. “Unfortunately those sites did not prove successful in locating Val Morris,” Thain said.
Thain said another search using the human remains dog is planned to take place in a week to 10 days. She said they plan to survey the area after each significant rainfall “to see if erosion can assist us in identifying further areas of interest.”
Morris, 67, and her husband Tom Morris were caught in the mudslide on Aug. 11 while driving in a group of six vintage cars on Highway 99 to Kamloops from Vancouver. The group became caught in a downpour, and as Mr. Morris was attempting to put up the roof of their yellow 1968 Morgan convertible on the side of the road, the vehicle was swept away in the slide, with Mrs. Morris still inside. Mr. Morris was treated for minor, non-life-threatening injuries.
Thain said the family have been updated about the results and future monitoring.
