REVELSTOKE, B.C. -- The wreckage of a small plane missing in British Columbia since last November has been found in southeastern B.C., not far from the area where it was believed to have crashed.
Revelstoke RCMP said the crew of an ambulance service helicopter notified them Monday after spotting the wreckage of a white and burgundy plane at a remote site outside the city.
The crew was able to confirm the tail marker of the downed plane matches a single-engine Mooney aircraft piloted by 28-year-old Dominic Neron of Alberta.
Neron and his girlfriend, 31-year old Ashley Bourgeault, were travelling from Penticton to Edmonton when the crash happened on Nov. 25.
Officials were able to narrow the search to a region 18 kilometres outside Revelstoke, based on information from radar and a cellphone tower that picked up a signal from Neron's cellphone.
A search was called off after nine days.
Mounties said Tuesday they are investigating with the B.C. Coroners Service and a team, including forensic identification experts, has reached the remote site.
"The RCMP wishes to thank the helicopter pilots and crew of the BC Ambulance Service for their watchful eyes in locating this plane and assisting to bring closure to the two families," the Revelstoke detachment said in a release.
Neron's sister, Tammy Neron, expressed relief in a Facebook site set up exclusively to help in the search.
Her post on the Missing Plane: Find Dominic & Ashley site says the discovery meant her birthday wish came true.
"Our families cannot thank each and every one of you enough for embracing us during what's been the hardest 10 months of our lives," she said.
Neron thanked police, search and rescue officials and everyone involved in looking for the aircraft.
