RCMP Recovery Mission update

News - Friday 08/05 - Cold Facts team

> NEWS RELEASE
> Resolute Bay, Nunavut Recovery of Body of Missing Researcher
> Police File:  2015-482749
> DATE: 2015-05-08
> Resolute Bay, NU;  On Wednesday April 29th, 2015, Resolute Bay RCMP
> were advised that a distress call had been sent out by two scientific
> expedition members from the Netherlands traveling on sea ice near
> Bathurst Island, approximately 200 kilometers north of Resolute Bay.

> Aerial Search and Rescue teams were dispatched to the area and located
> expedition equipment including personal items floating in the water at
> the location of the distress signal.  Rescue efforts were discontinued
> after it was determined both subjects had perished.

> Due to very poor ice conditions and the remoteness of the location, the
> feasibility of recovery efforts was examined, as there was a possibility
> of the recovery of missing men. On May 2nd, the RCMP, with support of
> local experts and the Polar Continental Shelf Program of Natural
> Resources Canada, dispatched a helicopter to survey the scene.  They
> were able to recover the dog traveling with the two men at that time.
> Following consultation with local experts, it was determined that a
> recovery option was possible.

> Further attempts were made to transport a recovery team consisting of
> local volunteers to an abandoned airstrip near the location, but failed
> due to poor ground conditions.

> On May 6th, the RCMP coordinated a team of local volunteers, who were
> highly skilled in working in the area and dealing with poor ice
> conditions to depart to the location via snowmobile.  On May 7th, they
> arrived at the site and despite personal risk were able to recover a
> body of one of the two missing men.  Unfortunately despite their best
> efforts, they could not locate the second missing man. The findings at
> the scene were consistent with both men perishing as a result of the
> accident. The ice conditions at the location of the incident could best
> be described as very poor.

> The expedition is expected to return to Resolute Bay today and the
> remains will be turned over to the Office of the Chief Coroner for their
> investigation. The identity of the recovered individual is not available
> at this time.

> The RCMP would like to thank the Community of Resolute Bay, the local
> recovery volunteers as well as the Polar Continental Shelf Program for
> their tireless support during search and recovery operations.  The RCMP
> would also like to acknowledge the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom
> of the Netherlands for their continuing cooperation during this tragic
> event.

> For additional information please contact:

> RCMP "V" Division Media Relations on call officer
> Media Cell (BB) (867)222-3977

> Email: VDIV_MEDIA.VDIV_IQ_Det.VDiv@rcmp-grc.gc.ca