A massive search over miles of terrain is underway on Eagle Mountain with dozens of search and rescue volunteers looking for a Coquitlam man who was reported missing Sunday night.
Coquitlam RCMP have released a new photo of Ali Naderi on the day he went missing and are sifting through dozens of tips.
As many as 40 search and rescue volunteers were involved in the search today, according to RCMP Cpl. Michael McLaughlin, with 20 more expected this evening.
Naderi, a 52 year-old experienced hiker, has now been missing fort least 48 hours, according to Coquitlam RCMP.
Tips from the public, including video footage of Naderi hiking on the day he went missing have been instrumental in focusing the efforts of Coquitlam Search and Rescue and their associated volunteer search groups.
“We are very grateful for the efforts of our volunteer searchers and the important tips provided by public that have pinpointed an area to search,” stated McLaughlin in a press release.
“We encourage people to continue contacting us with tips, but whatever you do, please leave the physical searching to us. We need to keep the trail uncontaminated and allow SAR volunteers to do their work.”
Coquitlam SAR have also posted a Tweet asking people to stay away from the search area. The search effort has been mounted at Eagle Mountain Park, where a command centre has been established.
Earlier today, Coquitlam SAR put a call out for hikers to send tips if they had seen Naderi.
Coquitlam SAR members will be searching on Eagle Mountain this afternoon for Ali Safar Naderi.
— Coquitlam SAR (@CoquitlamSAR) August 25, 2020
We will be staging in Eagle Mountain Park. Please keep the area clear for search crews. pic.twitter.com/0SO1jqqJ8s
The search effort has resulted in numerous tips, according to Coquitlam RCMP.
However, the exact location of the search area or where Naderi was hiking is not being disclosed to the public while the search continues.
So far, police have found no evidence of foul play. Instead, the evidence is pointing to a hiker who entered the backcountry missing essential equipment and without a plan shared with others.
Coquitlam RCMP describe Naderi as a 52-year-old Persian man with brown eyes and black, salt and pepper hair that curls over his ears. At 178 centimetres (5’10) and 80 kilograms (176 pounds), he was last seen wearing dark-coloured shorts, a dark-coloured, lightweight hiking jacket and carrying hiking poles.
Naderi’s car was found near a series of hiking trails in the 2500 block of Diamond Crescent, Coquitlam on August 23, 2020.
If you have seen Naderi, or may have information about his whereabouts, please contact the Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and quote file number 2020-22677.
