Cowichan Search and Rescue and the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP were meeting Tuesday afternoon to discuss the next steps in the search for Tony Morley, a 79-year-old man who has been missing since Sept. 21.
Morley's car was found, locked and undamaged, near the Maple Mountain staging area that day, and police believe he went for a hike on the mountain, but he hasn't been seen or heard from since then.
Search and Rescue began combing the woods near Crofton last Wednesday, and continued their search through last weekend with assistance from other SAR teams from across B.C. The search was suspended on Monday as crews were summoned to Ladysmith to assist with another incident. As of Tuesday afternoon, the search had not resumed but had not been called off, either.
The next steps would be determined at Tuesday's meeting.
"They will be discussing what has been done to date, the new resources - when will they be arriving, bring them up to speed, etc. - and how they will be deployed tomorrow," Cpl. Krista Hobday said on Tuesday. "No active search is planned for today." Morley is described as Caucasian, with grey hair and balding, with a very slim build. He was last seen wearing a white shirt. Police say he is in the early stages of dementia and recently had heart surgery, but is otherwise healthy and active. He is familiar with the Maple Mountain area and hikes there regularly.
Police have asked area residents to keep an eye out for Morley, and to check their outbuildings and fence lines in case he sought shelter there. Anyone who has seen Tony Morley recently should contact the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522.