—Update July 24—
Twenty-four days after hiker Alexander Nguyen, 20, went missing on Canada Day while on a hike near Shannon Falls with his family, he is still missing and there's no indication of what happened, Squamish RCMP told The Squamish Chief this week.
On July 4 at 10:30 a.m., Squamish Search and Rescue (SAR) suspended the search for Nguyen.
At the time, Squamish SAR said that over three days, SAR members from 10 teams across the south coast put in a "massive effort of searching in extremely difficult terrain," trying to find Nguyen.
With more than 150 searchers and the use of drones, volunteer rescuers were able to extensively cover the search area.
"Any remaining terrain in the search area is too high risk to be searched safely," Squamish SAR stated in an Instagram update at the time.
"We would like to thank everyone who gave their time to search for Alex. Our thoughts are with his family during this very difficult time," SAR posted.
—Update July 4, 11 a.m.—
A search for a 20-year-old Vancouver man who got lost while sightseeing in Squamish has been called off without him being found.
Alexander Nguyen was sightseeing with his parents near Shannon Falls on Canada Day when he wandered off to go exploring.
On July 4 at 10:30 a.m., Squamish Search and Rescue suspended the search for Nguyen.
"The full area was thoroughly searched and the individual was not located, therefore, at this time, the search has been called off,” says RCMP Cpl. Alex Berube, in a news release.
Search and Rescue teams from all over the Lower Mainland converged in Squamish and started searching for him by drone, helicopter and on foot. More than 50 people were on the ground searching for him.
Nguyen’s cell phone pinged in the middle of the Sea to Sky Summit, which is roughly 10 kilometres towards the Sea to Sky Gondola and involves very technical terrain.
RCMP said no further details are being released at this time.
—Update July 3, 10:10 a.m.—
The search for missing 20-year-old Alexander Nguyen is still ongoing, two days after he was reported missing near Shannon Falls Provincial Park.
Squamish Search and Rescue said in a social media post that over 70 SAR volunteers took part in the search for Nguyen on July 2.
“Over 70 Search and Rescue volunteers continued the search all day and into the night yesterday (July 2). This has been an extensive mutual aid call with 10 additional SAR teams participating from around southern B.C.,” they posted on the morning of July 3.
“The teams have been searching for Alex in Shannon Falls Provincial Park, Sea to Sky Gondola trails, Shannon Basin and the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park since 3:30 p.m. on July 1.”
SSAR said that in addition to having teams on the ground, they have also deployed drones and helicopters to search from the air.
“The search is continuing today. Anyone who may have seen Alex or has any information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact the Squamish RCMP at 604-892-6100,” the post said.
—Original story July 2, 9:30 a.m.—
Squamish Search and Rescue and RCMP are searching for a missing person in the Shannon Falls Provincial Park area.
Alexander Nguyen is a 20-year-old male who was last seen on July 1 while he was hiking and sight-seeing with his parents near Shannon Falls.
"Our members have been actively searching for Alex since yesterday afternoon," reads a SSAR social media post.
"He had been visiting Shannon Falls Provincial Park with his family yesterday, July 1. [The] last cellphone ping was at 3:30 p.m. on July 1 on Sea to Summit trail just past where the trail connects with upper Shannon Falls."
SSAR ask any hikers in the area to keep an eye out for Nguyen.
Nguyen's description is:
- Asian male
- 20 years old
- 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm)
- 121 pounds (55 kg)
- Long black hair in a bun
- brown eyes
- last seen wearing flip flops, grey shorts and a cross body bag
If anyone has any information on this missing person, contact Squamish RCMP at 604-892-6100.
This story was updated to include more information about the missing person.
