Family of missing pilot, passenger create GoFundMe account to keep search going

Family and friends of Dominic Neron and Ashley Bourgeault haven’t given up hope they’ll find the couple, who went missing near Revelstoke on Nov. 25 during a flight from Penticton to Edmonton. Neron, 28, was piloting a single-engine Mooney plane with girlfriend Bourgeault, 31 along as his passenger.

Neron’s sister Tammy created a GoFundMe page on Dec. 5 with a goal of raising $40,000 to help continue the search efforts. As of Sunday, Dec. 10 a total of $33,050 had been raised by 185 people. All of the funds raised through the campaign are being used to assist with the continued search.

Canadian Forces personnel from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria and Parks Canada staff spent a total of nine days searching for the missing Edmonton couple before calling off the search. Poor weather conditions and snowfall in the area created challenges for search and rescue crews.

“After nine days of military search and rescue in this vast, rough, mountainous terrain, military handed the case over to the RCMP as a missing person, and is no longer an active search,” Tammy wrote on the GoFundMe page. “This is devastating and breaks our hearts. We are in Revelstoke doing everything we can to keep this search active among locals with back country skills such as skiing, snowmobiling, mountain guides, etc.”

In an interview with The Mountaineer, Tammy said they have been able to get the assistance of Northern Alberta Commercial Helicopters out of Slave Lake Alberta. A pilot from Nelson who has access to a helicopter has also been assisting with the search.

Tammy also said the local community in Revelstoke has been amazing in terms of supports provided. The Sutton Place Hotel has donated rooms for family staying here to continue the search.  The area where the JRCC was able to ping one of the couple’s cellphones is near Rogers Pass, is a popular area for local backcountry skiers and snowmobilers, many of who have also offered to help out.

“Having people that know the area is really helpful. It’s (being in the backcountry) something people are already doing. We’re just asking them to keep their eyes open,” said Tammy.

The family have also been in contact with the Revelstoke RCMP. Tammy said local RCMP are currently considering the case to be that of a “missing person” but the family have been told if any signs of Neron or Bourgeault are found they just need to connect with RCMP to have the case reactivated.

“We will never give up until Dominic and Ashley are found,” Tammy wrote on the GoFundMe page.

Watch our interview with Tammy Neron here.