Nova Scotia RCMP believe a man was swept out to sea in Lower Prospect during post-tropical storm Fiona.
Larry Smith, 81, who has dementia, was reported missing Saturday afternoon after he hadn’t been heard from since Friday evening.
Cpl. Guillaume Tremblay said the RCMP teamed up with the province’s Department of Natural Resources and Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre to search for Smith.
A helicopter and Coast Guard vessel were sent out, as well as two boats with sonar equipment, but were unsuccessful in their findings.
“The waters were actually really calm yesterday for that search, however, last evening since all search efforts have been exhausted, the search has been called off,” Tremblay said.
“We had a lot of resources out there in hopes of finding the man, but it’s never easy.”
Tremblay said the man lived on Hennesseys Island and is believed to have gone outside at some point during the storm.
“It’s difficult to know for sure, but he lived along the coastline. He may have been near the coastline or out there watching the waves,” Tremblay said.
“There was a lot of swells over the weekend with the hurricane, as you know, and it’s possible he was swept out to sea. That’s our belief at this time.”
While the search has wrapped up, people are still asked to call the RCMP if they any information about Smith.
