Community News

Missing hiker search still inconclusive

Story and photo by Suzanne Nielsen and reprinted with permission of the Daily Herald.

January 24, 2007

American canine search team coordinator Dan Tourtelotte of Merrill Investigations said Wednesday evening that there was no physical evidence as yet to indicate the whereabouts of missing New Jersey hiker Joel Gove.

Every day rumors have flown around the island that Gove had been found, but Tourtelotte categorically denied this. By process of elimination, the team is now able to concentrate on areas that hold the most potential as an accident site. The dogs appear to be smelling something, however, one of the challenges on Saba is that the wind currents coming up the mountain slopes make it difficult to pinpoint exact locations.

At one point on Wednesday, the team came at the task from a different direction-in very rough seas, several dogs went to the base of the island's steep cliffs in the Saba Marine Park boat. However, the animals did not give an indication that they had picked up any scent whatsoever.

Tourtelotte said that the search group probably has a combined experience of almost a thousand similar investigations. Most team members did a stint of cadaver recovery in the New Orleans disaster. One team member is a specialist in logistics and mapping so that the trail time is used optimally and the search results are well documented.

Current plans are for the team to remain on Saba through the weekend, but that could be affected by results in the next few days, Tourtelotte explained. The search crew is in regular contact with Chief of Police, Lt. Governor Sydney Sorton through Saba Trail Manager James Johnson, who accompanies them each day.

Once again the group complimented the Saba population for its support and for letting the team keep a low profile as they go about their arduous task. Tourtelotte wanted Saba to know that team member Wayne Buford who was medevaced on Tuesday because of a suspected heart attack is hospitalized in the United States and making a solid recovery.

Photo: The search team briefs every morning at Tropics Café with coordinator Dan Tourtelotte (far right.)

Click here for a larger version of the photo.


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Story and photograph © Suzanne Nielsen, 2007.