Searchers find body of missing nurse travelling to work in northern Quebec
Cree Board of Health reviewing its travel policies for employees, contractors
Searchers have found the body of a 29-year-old nurse who was on his way to work in the northern Quebec community of Nemaska.
George He was last seen on Nov. 20 at a gas station in Louvicourt, east of Val-d'Or. Several days later, the pickup truck he was driving was found on the side of a snow-covered, isolated secondary road.
Quebec provincial police and volunteer teams had been searching the area on snowmobiles and with a helicopter. They had hoped he had found shelter in a hunting camp.
They discovered He's body on Thursday in a forested area north of Amos, about 20 kilometres from his truck.
He was from Brossard on Montreal's South Shore.
Nurse was 'a valued member' of the team
In a statement Friday, the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay recognized He for his service to northern communities.
He was on his way to Nemaska for his third nursing contract with the Cree Board of Health, the board said.
The board said He was a dedicated professional with an adventurous spirit and a valued member of clinical teams in the Cree communities of Waskaganish, Wemindji and Nemaska.
"We will remember George He's dedicated service to the well-being of our community, and we will work with our partners to improve safety and security of travellers in all seasons," said the board.
The statement also said the board is reviewing its travel policies for employees and contractors travelling north.
The board also plans to recommend that secondary roads be removed from GPS route options and advocate for improved mobile network coverage and access to 911 in remote areas.
The board in its statement also recommended drivers avoid remote roads and always travel with a full emergency roadside survival kit.