Penticton couple missing for over two weeks in USA

[blais65]

WOW,I almost fell of my chair when I heard this.This will be an amazing survival story .

Great news for the family,and I sure hope they find her husband.

[Bretbaby]

That is awesome news - what a Happy Mother's Day to that family!!

[cubafreak]

To me, this truly is a miracle!!! I am so happy to hear this and hope and pray that her husband is found alive too!!!!

[Urbane]

From CBC News:

RCMP say Rita Chretien, who along with her husband Albert has been missing for seven weeks, was found alive Friday in Elko County, Nev.

Her husband is still missing.

Oregon police said the hunters found the 56-year-old woman in the Chretiens' vehicle on a remote logging road Friday afternoon.

She was airlifted by helicopter to a medical facility and appeared to be in good condition.

The Penticton, B.C., couple had been travelling to a trade show in Las Vegas in their brown Astro van when they disappeared.

Family members reported them missing when the Chretiens did not return home to the B.C. Interior as planned March 31.

The couple had last been seen at a Baker City, Ore., convenience store on March 19.


RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said he's been told Chretien was found by hunters and survived on water alone.

It is believed that Albert Chretien, 59, left the vehicle on foot in March, police said.

Police in Oregon and Nevada undertook a 12-day air and ground search but found no trace of the couple before scaling back their efforts April 11.

[Captain Awesome]

This is truly amazing.

[BoB76]

I wonder why they were at where they were. Seems kinda weird but glad to hear of the news.

[Roadster]

Lots of questions coming her way I am sure, seems odd they were where they were. Almost like they went for a scenic route but most will do that on the way back from an event. Hope they find the husband.

[Symbonite]

yup sounds like those movie plots for sure.

[BoB76]

*bleep* ing gps is my bet. Took them the short route.

[twobits]

Great news. Wow...seven weeks! Either that van was stocked full of food or Rita is one damned resourceful woman.

[GardenMum]

Mrs. Chretien lived off very small amounts of trail mix and melted snow, she lost between 20-30 lbs she didn't feel she had very many days left. But IMO God is good, and prayers were answered, a mother's day my friend, Dale and his brothers will never forget!

[prairieflower]

What a wonderful but sad and bittersweet end to hell for this family.

I am so happy that they found Mrs. Chretien & hope for the families sake they find Mr. Chretien for closure to this.

Happy Mothers Day Mrs. Chretien, you deserved the world today!

[Queen K]

I'm wondering if they had a GPS that lead them up there. Happened to another couple before, in Alberta I believe.

Well Midnite, here's one for you:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c ... escue.html

Rita says the GPS lead them up this road.

But you were right about people quadding on remote roads finding them.

[Smurf]

Congratulations to the family. I hope the husband is also found. His fate doesn't look great but she has just proven you should never give up.

I booked a campground in California this winter and the operator started to give me directions. He stated he had never had anyone find them with a GPS. The most common place they ended up was about 20 miles away in a field. They are good but definately not perfect.

[ILBT uh-huh]

Just get them to give their location in UTM co-ordinates then use a map to get there. Still the best method.
Happy they found her. Fingers crossed for him. He's probably tough as nails and will make it.