Missing snowmobiler, 68, dies after rescue on Northern Peninsula
Days-long search for 2 missing men separated from friends in back country
A missing snowmobiler found Monday afternoon after a days-long search on the Northern Peninsula has died, RCMP confirm.
The 68-year-old and another snowmobiler were separated from their party of five late Friday afternoon, prompting search crews to scour the area between Jackson's Arm and Harbour Deep.
On Monday afternoon, a search helicopter found Wilfred Lovell alive in a forested area and transported him to hospital in Corner Brook.
But later that day, Lovell died.
Family members and friends flooded several social media pages with messages of condolences, with many noting the heartbreaking turn of events given that Lovell had been found alive.
The other snowmobiler, Stan Rice, 64, was found on Sunday afternoon and is recovering in hospital in Corner Brook.
Both men were riding in the popular back country area with three other friends, all of whom are experienced snowmobilers, said Ruth Rice, Stan Rice's wife.
RCMP, ground search teams, and air crews were all dispatched to help with the search.
The Deer Lake Regional Search and Rescue team posted its condolences on Facebook Tuesday morning, along with a message of gratitude to those who helped with the search.