RCMP say they have suspended the separate searches for two men who recently went missing in northeastern British Columbia.
Jim Barnes was last seen on Oct. 18 when he went grouse-hunting with his dog near Groundbirch Forest Service Road near Chetwynd, B.C., about 60 kilometres southwest of Fort St. John.
Sam Benastick, 20, was reported missing after failing to return home Oct. 17 from a 10-day camping trip in remote Redfern-Keily Provincial Park, about 250 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John.
Cpl. Madonna Saunderson says police will continue to follow leads, but search efforts — which have included dogs, air teams and volunteers from local search and rescue crews — have been called off after several days.
Police have also shared new information in the search for Benastick.
They say his last known location was at the trailhead of the Redfern Lake trail where he was riding a red Honda dirt bike, which they hope may have been spotted by someone in the area.
Sam Benastick is shown in an RCMP handout photo. (RCMP)
Jim Barnes and his dog, Murphy. (Submitted by Micaela Sawyer)
RCMP have released a photo of Sam Benastick’s red Honda dirtbike, which they say he was riding the last time he was seen. (RCMP)