By Ian Holmes

UPDATE: man found, says search in area of Weigles Rd. was result of misunderstanding

Mar 19, 2019 | 12:21 PM

UPDATE: It turns out a large-scale search for a man considered missing was the result of a misunderstanding.

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue president Nick Rivers said the man was located early Tuesday afternoon by an RCMP dog on a trail near Weigles Rd.

Nanaimo RCMP said the man planned on spending the night in the bush after heading out Monday, but the message was not relayed to family members and he was reported missing Tuesday morning.

Police say the man was extremely grateful to SAR teams.

There was a large response to the missing report, including air patrols, RCMP dogs and SAR teams from around the mid-island.

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EARLIER: 

NANAIMO — A large-scale search is on for a man who went missing after he ventured into the woods off the northwest slope of Mount Benson.

Allen Tonn, search manager with Nanaimo Search and Rescue, said a man in his 30s was reported missing after he went into the backcountry Monday afternoon.

“We know he left from the area at the end of Weigles Rd. because we’ve located his vehicle there,” Tonn told NanaimoNewsNOW on scene. “Right now we’re doing more ongoing investigation as well as searching to see if we can determine any more information.”

Tonn said there was no contact with the missing man, who was reported missing by his father early Tuesday.

“He may be on a motorcycle, he may fishing or he may be root-clearing for a later motorcycle ride.”

Tonn said their search is concentrated in the Doumont Rd., Ammonite trails and Boomerang Lake areas.

The search zone could widen since the man could have wandered off given how long he’s been missing, Tonn said.

Numerous neighouring search and rescue crews have been called to assist in the search.

Nanaimo RCMP are also assisting, while a chopper was also assigned.

The missing man’s mother and uncle anxiously waited at the scene and were receiving updates from Nanaimo SAR late Tuesday morning.

While SAR officials are stationed at the end of Weigles Rd., the public can still recreate in the area.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes