Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating an Ahousaht First Nation man who was last seen on Aug. 7.
Travis Damon Thomas was participating in a spiritual journey that involved being isolated on Bartlett Island when he was reported missing on Aug. 9.
“Prior to reporting him missing to police, the man’s family had already conducted a search of the island but were not successful,” read a statement from the RCMP on Tuesday afternoon.
The Tofino and Ahousaht RCMP, Canadian Coast Guard, RCMP Air Services and volunteer search teams conducted an initial search of the island which was followed up by additional efforts from the RCMP Police Dog Service, according to the statement, which adds that a search manager from Comox Valley Search and Rescue was engaged to conduct an external review of the detachment’s search efforts to date.
Thomas, 40, is described as a 5’11”, 175 lb, aboriginal male with black hair and brown eyes. Police say he has several tattoos on his chest and arm.
“We are very concerned about the safety of Travis Thomas and are doing everything we can to locate him,” said Sgt. Todd Pebernat of the Ahousaht RCMP. “Our search is unfortunately very difficult given the island’s extremely dense forest and brush area. It has made it difficult for ground searchers to probe thoroughly into these regions of the island.”
Police believe Thomas might have left Bartlett Island and are urging anyone who sees him, or has information about his whereabouts, to immediately contact the Ahousaht RCMP detachment at 250-670-9612 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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