Search continues for missing hunters near Ground Birch Road, Redfern Keily Park

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Multiple Search and Rescue (SAR) teams from across BC are partnering together as the searches for two missing men in northern B.C. continue.

The two men – James Barnes and Sam Benastick – were reported missing over the weekend. 

Barnes was reported missing to the Fort St. John RCMP detachment on October 18th. 

The case was handed over to the Chetwynd RCMP detachment after investigators learned he was last seen with his dog Murphy in the area of Ground Birch Road.

Police have located Barnes’ vehicle; however, he and Murphy were not with the truck, and all attempts to find him since have been unsuccessful.

The South Peace and North Peace SAR Teams, as well as SAR teams from other parts of the province, such as Kamloops, Prince George, and Okanagan, are all assisting in the search for Barnes.

Any people who know where Barnes may be, saw his 2004 Chevrolet pickup truck, were in the area of 269 Road and Ground Birch Road on October 18th, have dashcam video or have seen Murphy are asked to call the Chetwynd RCMP at 250-788-9221.

The Kamloops SAR team is also assisting Northern Rockies RCMP officers in the search for Benastick, who was reported missing on October 19th after failing to return home from a 10-day hunting trip in Redfern Kiely Park near the Sikanni Chief area.

Benastick reportedly last checked in with his family on October 8th and was supposed to return home on the 17th.

Anyone who has information on Benastick’s whereabouts or has been in the Redfern Keily Park area since October 7th is asked to contact the Northern Rockies RCMP at 250-774-2700.