A search is underway for a missing mushroom picker in northern Saskatchewan.
RCMP say 78-year-old Tony Olekas left Nipawin nine days ago to go mushroom picking in an area about 14 kilometres west of the Hanson Lake Road (Highway 165 area near Big Sandy Lake).
He hasn’t been heard from since last Friday and was reported missing on Monday.
RCMP have been searching for Olekas since he was reported missing. This includes searches on foot by RCMP Search and Rescue and flights by the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), but he has not been found.
Olekas is described as being 5’11” tall with a medium build and short cut grey hair. He was last seen wearing dark-coloured work clothes.
Anyone who has a cabin in this area and is going to be at it in the next little while is asked to contact police if any suspicious activity is noticed.
Mounties are stressing that the area where searches are taking place is very remote with very limited cell phone coverage. For safety reasons, the RCMP are not encouraging those unfamiliar with the area to assist with the search at this time.