Friends delayed reporting missing Vancouver Island hiker who had arrest warrant: RCMP

The Port Alberni RCMP says a hiker who went missing on Vancouver Island could have died after friends delayed reporting her disappearance to police.

Mounties first received a report of the missing woman Monday morning.

“A woman had been hiking and mushroom picking in the area off Cameron Main Service Road and was last seen at 2:30 p.m. the previous day,” police explained.

Her friends reportedly started searching immediately, but declined to report the woman as missing sooner due to the woman having a warrant out for her arrest.

“Friends of the missing woman were attempting to avoid interaction with police.”

Police say the woman was located in the late afternoon Monday, adding that the “cryptic details” provided to search and rescue teams and police took time away from looking.

The woman spent the night outdoors without appropriate clothing, and Mounties say the situation “could have turned fatal” if she was not found sooner.

“We should always strive to do the right thing, but it is even more important to be honest when someone’s life is at risk,” said Sgt. Chet Carroll.

The RCMP says the woman was transported to hospital, and “her warrant was addressed later in the day.”