06-24-2009, 11:10 AM
CONCORD, N.H. - Unable to find any new clues after three days of searching, rescue officials will bring to a close the extensive ground and air search of the Mount Washington area of New Hampshire aimed at locating hiker Peter Shintani, age 70, of Napanee, Ontario, who has been missing for more than a week. Yesterday, more than 50 rescuers and a N.H. Army National Guard helicopter combed the rugged mountain area. The search continued today (June 18, 2009) with 22 rescuers deploying in the area looking for Shintani.
"While the ground search effort will halt, we will continue to actively seek input from the hiking public; if we get credible leads, we'll send officers to follow up," said New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Lt. Douglas Gralenski. "Unfortunately, so far we've found no reports or physical evidence that could help us trace Peter."
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers began searching trails near Mount Washington the afternoon of June 16. New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers were assisted by searchers from the Appalachian Mountain Club, Mountain Rescue Service, Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue, Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue, New England K-9 Search and Rescue, the US Forest Service and the New Hampshire Army National Guard.
"Searches of this magnitude stretch the resources of the search and rescue community," said Gralenski. "We give it the maximum effort, but there has to be an end point. We've talked with Peter's family and they have expressed understanding and appreciation of the effort that has been made."
If anyone comes across information pertaining to Peter Shintani's whereabouts since June 8, 2009, please call the N.H. Fish and Game Dispatch line at 603-271-3361. A photo is posted at http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009...61709.html.
No further information is available at this time.
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For information on being safe while hiking, visit http://www.hikesafe.com.
"While the ground search effort will halt, we will continue to actively seek input from the hiking public; if we get credible leads, we'll send officers to follow up," said New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Lt. Douglas Gralenski. "Unfortunately, so far we've found no reports or physical evidence that could help us trace Peter."
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers began searching trails near Mount Washington the afternoon of June 16. New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers were assisted by searchers from the Appalachian Mountain Club, Mountain Rescue Service, Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue, Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue, New England K-9 Search and Rescue, the US Forest Service and the New Hampshire Army National Guard.
"Searches of this magnitude stretch the resources of the search and rescue community," said Gralenski. "We give it the maximum effort, but there has to be an end point. We've talked with Peter's family and they have expressed understanding and appreciation of the effort that has been made."
If anyone comes across information pertaining to Peter Shintani's whereabouts since June 8, 2009, please call the N.H. Fish and Game Dispatch line at 603-271-3361. A photo is posted at http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009...61709.html.
No further information is available at this time.
.........................
For information on being safe while hiking, visit http://www.hikesafe.com.