It has been six months since RCMP located a missing man's burned ATV and vehicle near Naramata and still no leads to his disappearance.
William (Bill) Hermakin gave no indication to where he was going or when he would return when he was last seen on April 26 at his residence in Kelowna. It was later determined he had picked up his ATV from a storage facility where it was kept and loaded it onto his truck. The ATV was later found burned up at the Adra Tunnel on the Kettle Valley Railway near Naramata. Soon after his truck was found near the old Bellevue Trestle.
"It is hunting season and a lot of guys are going out in the bush so we are wanting them to keep an eye out for any signs of his whereabouts or any items of his clothing that may resemble what he was wearing," said Const. Kris Clark.
Penticton RCMP, with the assistance of an off-duty firefighter, searched the Adra Tunnel where the ATV was located. Due to the instability of the tunnel the search required significant time and effort to complete because it was so hazardous. Search and rescue and the RCMP dog service also conducted a search of the area between the ATV and Hermakin's truck. Their efforts were fruitless. Clark said they received a couple of tips on Hermakin's possible whereabouts, but those were ruled out. Now, after six months, Clark said he hopes a fanout by RCMP might refresh some memories and maybe result in some sort of lead.
"Usually what happens when we send something like this out we get a few people calling with tips. There will be lots of people going into that area for hunting or what have you so it is good to refresh everyone's memory," said Clark.
Hermakin is described as a Caucasian man, 5'9", 185 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He has a scar on his nose as well as both ears. The 49-year-old man was under medical care and requires medication for his condition. He was last seen wearing a white and green striped dress shirt with blue jeans.