7 months, still searching

Drones, ATVs and hikers gathered around Mabel Lake to help search for a couple and their missing plane.

The search for Dominic Neron and Ashley Bourgeault continues almost seven months since they were last seen.

The couple took off in their white-and-burgundy, single-engine Mooney aircraft on Nov. 25, 2017 from Penticton. They were never heard from again.

Tammy Neron, Dominic’s sister, said about a dozen people came out and spent last weekend searching.

“This is something that when it first happened it was so tragic and so sudden and we were all immediately throw in this,” she said.

“There is no amount of time, even if it’s a missing person case that doesn’t make this feel just as urgent as the very first day It happened.”

Tammy said the terrain they are searching is vast, mountainous and densely treed that it is not a job for 10 people.

“No amount of help we get seems like enough,” she said.

Images captured by a drone are being processed and then the family will cover over each one scanning for any sign of a downed plane.

Dominic’s plane had a wing span of 36 feet and would have caused a significant number of trees to be knocked over or leave behind broken tree tops.

“Broken tree tops is the main thing they are asking people to look for,” said Tammy.

Anyone who wants to help in the search is being asked to contact Tammy directly at 780-405-7649.

“I hope that Ashley and Dominic are found, and I hope that everyone that is grieving right now finds the time to heal,” said Tammy.