Photo by Photo Submitted
WHEREABOUTS SOUGHT – Vaclav Jonas was last seen on the Nisutlin River when the vessel he was in over- turned, the RCMP said Tuesday. Photo courtesy RCMP
RCMP want public help to find missing person
Yukon RCMP are seeking public assistance in locating Vaclav Jonas, who was reported missing on Aug. 16.
Yukon RCMP are seeking public assistance in locating Vaclav Jonas, who was reported missing on Aug. 16.
Jonas, 73, was last seen on the Nisutlin River approximately 200 kilometres from Teslin when the vessel he was in overturned and he was separated from his group.
Jonas, visiting the Yukon from the Czech Republic, speaks minimal English, police said Tuesday afternoon.
He is described as Caucasian, standing six feet, one inch (185 cm) tall, weighing 200 lbs. (90 kg.), with blue eyes, white hair, short on the sides and worn in a ponytail.
He was last seen wearing a black jacket and black pants.
Yukon Search and Rescue personnel are engaged in the search, along with Tatshenshini Expediting, Capital Helicopters, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ottawa has also been updated on the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jonas is urged to contact their local police, or Crimestoppers via phone at 667-6715 or at http://www.crimestoppersyukon.ca
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Comments (8)
Up 19 Down 1
MILK on Aug 26, 2022 at 1:54 pm
Jeff Donaldson gets IT, I applaud you!!
It's a crying shame so many others don't get IT.
Up 4 Down 16
MITCH on Aug 26, 2022 at 9:16 am
@ MILK - Nobody said they hope he isn't found safe. You hear BC talking about the resentment of backcountry goers using up SAR resources, I think this is a legitimate critique as well. Why did the authorities never come up with a system to have visitors to the territory declare rural expeditions by law so as to avoid this? Honestly, anyone who uses SAR resources without having made anyone aware of a planned trip into the wild should be made to pay for those resources, with exceptions (people do get lost by mistake by losing track of where nearby urban centers are all the time). And yeah, he is 73, he is not a young man, that is a perfectly valid point. Just don't underestimate the guy folks, he doesn't look weak to me.
Let's hope he gets back to town alright, alright?
Up 28 Down 4
Jeff Donaldson on Aug 25, 2022 at 5:41 pm
Ok folks stop the I am so Hard Yukon Survivalist BS.
Who was the Tourist Company he was being guided by???
And please show some compassion.
I guarantee most of the negative comments are from some real right seat losers!
Up 8 Down 22
MITCH on Aug 25, 2022 at 4:35 pm
I'm your like Matt, I learned that in Boy Scouts when I was 11. You don't go out of town without reporting your destination eta of return. So SAR can predict when to come find you. For those who don't know that, go south to your safe space, you are a liability in the wild. This guy though, 70 some years old and Czech, I think he probably made some efforts. More than those folks who lit their car on fire to avoid freezing to death in 2021. Where was there emergency blanket and supplies? Who did they report their travel to?
Up 28 Down 1
Nathan Living on Aug 25, 2022 at 4:18 pm
Would be helpful to know location on the Nisutlin River on a map where he went missing.
Up 55 Down 1
MILK on Aug 25, 2022 at 3:47 pm
@Matthew
You are correct about the wilderness, but come on man be nice! With the messed up world we live in, a little compassion and empathy isn't a hard thing to pass along. I hope one day when the world turns on you or your loved ones, you receive some compassion from others. Enjoy your day
Up 4 Down 63
Matthew on Aug 25, 2022 at 8:00 am
Come more prepared.. it's the wilderness out there, it doesn't care about your skills or feelings.. so much money wasted on fools, and for what? He's 73, not exactly the pinochle of his health.
Up 35 Down 8
Dentist47 on Aug 24, 2022 at 5:32 pm
In order to be of any assistance, rescue groups, hunters, and people travelling the Canol road need to have more information.
1) Was he close to the Canol road when he went missing?
2) How did the group know that his boat overturned?
3) How long was it before the group realized that Mr. Jonas was missing?
4) Did Mr. Jonas have survival gear in his boat?
5) What type of boat was he travelling in and what colour was it?