Family praying as search continues for Sask. man lost in blizzard
Weyburn RCMP are continuing to search for a 39-year-old man from southern Saskatchewan who was reported missing late Monday evening as blizzard-like conditions swept through the province.
Abraham Neufeld was driving a tractor near his home in Tribune, Sask., a community of less than 100 people located about 50 kilometres south of Weyburn, when it got stuck. Neufeld is believed to have become disoriented while returning to his home in Tribune.
Police said his tractor was found empty and still running more than a kilometre east of Tribune on Tuesday morning.
His sister-in-law, Helena Neufeld, said she believes he was clearing the roadway to his work when his tractor got stuck, leading him to walk home.
Now his family, including his wife Susy Neufeld and his two children, are praying for his safe return.
"I just talked to my mother-in-law. She's really worried about everything and she's really worried about his wife and his children," Helena said.
She said Abraham is a mechanic that often spends long hours in his shop and loves to work on tractors, as well as spend time with his family.
A host of agencies, including conservation officers, the RCMP's police dog services and search and rescue continue to look for him, including marking areas that have already been searched.
In a new release sent out Tuesday afternoon, RCMP asked the public to avoid helping the search effort due to continued poor visibility.
"We recognize people want to help, and at this time, due to this coordinated effort, and the fact there is still only 30 feet or less of visibility at the search area," it said.
CBC contacted RCMP Wednesday morning to determine if it maintained this recommendation, but did not hear back shortly before 2 p.m.
People who might have seen Neufeld have been asked to contact Weyburn RCMP at 306-848-4640. RCMP did not provide a description of Neufeld.
