Search For MN Hikers Missing In CO Continues
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The search for a missing Minnesota father and son continues in the mountains west of Denver, Colo. Tuesday.
Damien McManus and his 18-year-old son Evan -- a St. Louis Park High School Senior -- were last seen six days ago.
Despite a search involving more than 50 rescuers on foot, snowmobiles, SUVs and a helicopter, there has still been no trace of the father and son.
Searchers have fanned out over a 20-mile square area two hours west of Denver near a popular hiking trail were the McManus' car was found.
Andrea Bouzrara, a family representative, says Katherine McManus and her daughter, Lauren, are comforted by the outpouring of prayers and support. They've been at the remote search command post in Colorado since Monday.
Bouzrara says Katherine wants friends and family to know that rescuers are doing everything they can and she has hope. Damien was in the British version of the National Guard and had survival training.
"She is grateful for prayers -- that is really what she is asking for -- and that they are found quickly and they are found safe," Bouzrara said.
Last Wednesday, Evan had sent a text to his girlfriend saying he and his dad were going to scale a mountain. That was the last anyone heard from him. Wednesday into Thursday it snowed 17 inches in the area. Since then, wind chills have plunged temperatures to lows of around zero.
Friends say they are constantly checking the Facebook site friends have set up.
"We care about them so much and we are all just hoping for some good news to come," neighbor Tami Cabrera said.
Evan and Lauren, his twin sister, are seniors at St. Louis Park High School where counselors have been on hand to try and help.
"The kids are having a hard time," Bouzrara said. "They are sad and holding out hope at the same time and aren't focused on anything but this."
While weather conditions have been very tough, weather was better Tuesday. But still, as of right now, the search has not turned up anything.
On Tuesday night, there will be a prayer vigil at St. Joan of Arc's Catholic Church in Minneapolis where the McManus family attends.
