This has been on a couple MC boards lately, I just received it in an e mail from former VRCC'r Kat in Texas. She asked if I would post this here. Special attention to folks in the Mountain States. "Donald Masters left Orofino, ID, Monday, August 31, headed for West Yellowstone and then on to Denver. He has not been seen or heard from since. We have reason to believe he may have gone missing Monday (he was due into Denver Wednesday). He was riding a black 2008 Goldwing, Colorado Plate #327-UTH."
Last known Status:
- Credit Card purchase for gas in Lolo, MT on Auguest 31th, 2009 on way to West Yellowstone.
Cell phone triangulation - due to lack of coverage, there is not current cell phone signal that can be located.
Update: 9/11/2009:
- A Credit Card purchase in Denver on Sept 8th was noted in Denver, CO - hopefully, he's okay - this is being confirmed. - update, this was some type of automated charge which was actually on the Sept 1st. The search is still on.
-PDF poster added.
-Yellowstone NP has had several calls already and has no record of him showing up there.
Update: 9/13/2009
Call from Dave Grossman.
He spoke to a Hamilton LEO - they have a traffic cam in Darby, MT that they are 95% sure it was
Donald. That was at around 4:30 PM on the 31st. They are pretty sure he'd take 93 south from there and towards Salmon or to 43 to I-15 towards Dillon.
That puts him in Dillon around 7pm, maybe.
There was an outgoing phone call from his phone to a Seattle number at 4:30pm MST which is inline with that. Dave is following up more on the call - it appears to have been a call to check voice mail.
So, looks like Lolo to Darby can be ruled out.
Update: 9/14/2009
The family has a Helicopter involved now that is do to arrive in Darby at 1:30MT.
The Plan:
Follow the path in the map or any possible side tracks that a MC rider on a Wing might take as part of a normal ride.
Search every possible 'get off' curve or questionable stretch of the route, please be safe. Please try to stay in groups of 3 to 5 bikes, take your time and try be safe yourself as we don't want to have any issues due to the search. If you are in a group, give each other some distance in case one of you sees something and needs to pull over unexpectedly.
Bring binoculars.. If you pull off somewhere to look, use them to scan and cover more of the area and places not easily seen from the road.
If you have any important information, please call the Clearwater County (ID) Sheriff's Department at (208) 476-4521 or the Missoula Sheriff can be reached at 406-258-4810.
Donald is riding a black 2008 Goldwing, Colorado Plate #327-UTH
Here is a picture of Donald on a Siver goldwing, again he would be riding a BLACK wing not a silver one:
Post by Fred D:
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71984 Smithee on the pashnit forum is his brother-in-law so he started a thread over there as well:
http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24013 Map by Fred D:
FAQ:
CCs & Bank info - has been checked out thoroughly - last usage was in Lolo, MT on 8/31 for gas. Last sighting, via traffic cam, was in Darby, MT at ~4:30 MST on 8/31
Cell phone ping - yes, it's been tried, no luck
Cell phone records - yes, they've been checked but there is very limited and often no service in the area. Last known call out was ~4:30 MST - possibly coincides with the Darby traffic cam sighting.
GPS ping - GPS are receivers, not transmitters, no luck
Air search - Montana Pilots Association and local charter companies have been notified to be on the look out but, so far, no volunteers to search
Civil Air Patrol - yes, they know but can't do anything until an official Law Enforcement request
Search and Rescue - yes, they know but also can't do anything until an official Law Enforcement request
Why no LE request of SAR & CAP - unknown at this time
Medical conditions or depression - none known by family
Hunters and hikers - information is being forwarded to folks in the area
Campgrounds and hotels - all in area have been contacted, no luck
Bike condition - 2008 Goldwing, no known mechanical issues but known to be fully loaded (and a riding buddy reported it as over-loaded). Yellow and black dry bags on the passenger seat. Camping gear, etc.
Attached Files Missing Poster-1.PDF (84.5 KB, 147 views)
