Search continues for missing Fort Macleod couple

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Update:  Fort Macleod couple Jacob and Anja Oosterwijk have been found alive.  

Click on link to read story.

Jacob and Anja Oosterwijk
still missing

According to RCMP Inspector Joe McGeough, the search for missing Fort Macleod couple Jacob and Anja Oosterwijk is continuing.  The search will continue to be co-ordinated from the parking lot next to the Pincher Creek Fire Station (655 Charlotte Street, Pincher Creek) by Pincher Creek Search and Rescue.  There will also be a command post established in the Elkford area.

Inspector McGeough said there were already plenty of volunteers, but those wishing to help could meet at the Pincher Creek location later in the morning of Tuesday, April 17.

Earlier today, April 16,  it was suggested  by search organizers that volunteer searchers go home and get some rest after an intensive two-day search developed little in the way of new leads.   Search teams co-ordinated by Pincher Creek Search and Rescue continue to search for the missing couple.  An important part of the process is having accurate reports brought back by searchers, to be recorded on a map, so that Pincher Creek Search and Rescue knows which areas have been searched, and to make sure the search is conducted in the most efficient manner possible.

Searchers have scoured areas between Fernie and Pincher Creek, assisted by a helicopter, so far to no avail.

Several members of the volunteer search crew said they were concerned that press reports (including the one published here yesterday) were not indicating how serious the concern for the missing was among their family and friends.  They said it was out of character for this couple to be out of contact for so long.

Here again is information about the missing couple:

Jacob and Anja Oosterwijk

On April 14th, 2012 at approximately 11:30 am, Jacob and Anja Oosterwijk departed on a day trip from Fort Macleod Alberta into British Columbia to the Fernie area.  They were due to return sometime after 6:00 pm yesterday to Fort Macleod but have not been heard from by family or friends since their departure.  Jacob (age 46) and Anja (age 43) were traveling in a 1997 Dark Green Honda CRV with Alberta licence plate BCC7195.

1997 Dark Green Honda CRV, Alberta licence plate BCC7195

Jacob is approximately 6'0" tall and of medium build.  He wears glasses, is bald with a close shaved beard, and was wearing blue jeans with a brown leather jacket and dark brown baseball cap with an unknown logo on it.

Anja is approximately 5'7" tall and of medium build. She also wears glasses, has short dark brown hair, and was wearing either blue jeans or a blue jean skirt with a dark blue 3/4 length winter coat.

There is a possibility they may have taken some side roads off of Highway 3 in the Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Sparwood, and Fernie areas and become lost or stuck with recent snowfall in those areas.  There are no health related issues for either of these two individuals.  The two speak both English and Dutch and reside in the Fort Macleod area.

Anyone that may have seen either Jacob or Anja Oosterwijk or know of their whereabouts are asked to contact the Fort Macleod RCMP at 403-553-7200 or to call 911 with any information.

Pincher Creek Search and Rescue command centre
C. Davis photo