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UPDATED: Missing Cranbrook woman located

Nelson Daily Staff
By Nelson Daily Staff
August 16th, 2018

The missing woman from Cranbrook has been found. 

Louise Baxter, 52, who has been missing since Sunday August 12, has been located following an extensive search initiated when she failed to return from a short walk in Jumbo Pass. 

RCMP in the East Kootenay said Baxter had been on a hike with friends and had ventured out with her dog for a break. Police said when she failed to return police were contacted.

Police said Search and rescue was activated and 72 hours later Baxter was located in good health. She was flown back to the Command Post and checked out by BC Ambulance while the dog Maverick, with her the whole time, is also in good health.

“I would like to send out a huge thanks to all the teams, support personnel, pilots and those who provided assistance over the three days. Your dedication is truly appreciated,” said Sgt Darren Kakuno, Columbia Valley Detachment Commander. “A special thanks to RK Heliskiing who provided their heliport, lodge and parking lot for the Command Post.”

Search teams from Columbia Valley, Cranbrook, Kimberley, Golden, Revelstoke, Sparwood, Kaslo and Nelson assisted with the search. At the height of the search there were three helicopters, four search dogs, a drone and over 35 trained SAR volunteers. Officers from Kimberley, Cranbrook and Columbia Valley RCMP detachments worked alongside the SAR team and provided support to the family through Victim Services.

“The teams faced challenging and difficult terrain but persevered and focused on finding this missing person. Their commitment is to be commended,” said Sgt. Chris Newel, Incident Commander.  “It was a huge sigh of relief when word came in that she had been located.”

Search on for Missing Woman in Jumbo Pass

Columbia Valley RCMP along with Search and Rescue are currently searching for a missing person in the Jumbo Pass area after police received a call for assistance Monday, August 13, through a SPOT activation. 

Police said in a media release Tuesday that a group of six persons were hiking in the area when one member left for short walk by herself on Sunday, August 12.

When the women didn’t return police were contacted.

The missing person, Louise Baxter, is described as:

  • ●  Caucasian female
  • ●   170 cm (5”7”) tall
  • ●    70 kg (155 lbs)
  • ●    Brown eyes
  • ●    Brown hair  

Police said Baxter, 52, from Cranbrook, was last seen wearing a burgundy jacket with blue jacket underneath and grey hiking pants.  She had her golden poodle on  a leash with her. Witnesses say she was dressed for the conditions, but not equipped for the night.

Search and rescue members from Columbia Valley, Golden, Cranbrook, Kimberley and Creston are on scene along with RCMP Police Dog Service.  Searching is being done with the aid of helicopters due to the inaccessibility. The area is also steep and treacherous making searching difficult. 

Jumbo pass is a stunningly beautiful hiking area in the West Kootenay Mountains of BC which can be accessed from Invermere in the east or Meadow Creek, at the north end of Kootenay Lake, in the west. The pass is a popular hiking spot that can be done as day hike or overnight backpack trip.

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