POLICE – Intensive search for missing 57-year-old teacher suspended

CRESTON – RCMP have confirmed that the search for missing teacher Alvin Dunic of Crawford Bay, B.C., has been suspended.

The decision followed a week of extensive search efforts after Dunic, 57,  vanished on May 29. He had told colleagues at Crawford Bay elementary and secondary that he was going to check out a location for a possible student field trip. His car was found near a trail leading towards Crawford Creek.

Over the weekend, a total of 14 Search and Rescue Teams with 87 SAR technicians from across the province had joined the search including: Creston, Castlegar, Nelson, Rossland, Kimberley, Kaslo, Sparwood, Oliver/Osoyoos, Central Okanagan, Revelstoke,Elkford, Cranbrook, Penticton, Princeton SAR Teams and the Riondell Fire Dept.

Numerous resources from the RCMP including fixed wing aircraft and helicopter, Police Service Dog, Underwater Recovery Team and members from area RCMP detachments focused on the weeklong search. SAR techinicians including search dog teams and Swift Water Recovery were also utilized throughout the week.

Saturday and Sunday saw about 60 community volunteers from the Crawford Bay area participate in the search. The community volunteers were organized by the Kootenay Lake School District and Crawford Bay School, following a groundswell of support for Dunic’s family.

“To date no sign of M. Dunic has been located and we have completed an extensive search of both ground and water in the area,” said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.

“It is suspected that Mr. Dunic had fallen into Crawford Creek and perished. It is estimated that approximately 3,300 total manhours have been logged this week by the collective group. The levels in Crawford Creek will be closely monitored over the coming days, and further search efforts will be re-assessed.”