Search for missing skier in Gaspé park called off
The search for a missing skier in the Chic Chocs mounts in the Gaspé provincial park has been called off.
Sûreté du Québec crews have been searching for Bertrand Marcotte, 36, from the Quebec City region.
"We didn't see any signs of life during all the search, and after five days, our memberes working in very extreme conditions with two snow storms," said SQ spokesman Sgt. Claude Doiron. "Unfortunately, we have no choice but to stop the search."
Marcotte was last seen on Sunday when he was out skiing with a group of friends.
At some point, Marcotte left on his own and has been missing since.
Crews have been searching the park with helicopters since Tuesday, but were forced to suspend the search on Wednesday after a snowstorm hit the area.
Sgt. Doiron said Marcotte was equipped with location sensors in case of avalanche, but the SQ's helicopters' sensors never picked up signals from the ground.
He said crews may return to the park in the spring when the snow has melted.
