Highway 16 Events Chill Family
By Ben Meisner
Monday, June 27, 2005 04:05 AM
A Chilako area father believes his 17 year old daughter escaped possible injury this past week after she was approached on Highway 16-west by a stranger driving a transport truck .
The teen was riding her horse along the edge of the highway last Friday afternoon at about 3.30 near Mud River, when a tractor trailer, pulling a reefer van, pulled over to the side of the road. A man in his early forties got out of the truck,and with a piece of paper in hand, began to approach her.
The young woman was under the impression the man was looking for directions so she stopped her horse. She says that when the man came closer to her, he asked, ”Do you want to get it on? "and continued towards her. She says, that's when she whipped her horse and bolted from the scene.
Following close behind was a neighbour to the teen. On seeing what was going on he began to follow the transport truck, and at the same time, phoned police. Police sent out a vehicle and advised Vanderhoof RCMP that a transport fitting the description was on its way to their town.
The driver was stopped in a road block and questioned, he said the reason he had pulled over in the Mud River area, was to tell the young woman she had a nice horse.
Because there was no physical contact, police cannot lay charges. The driver of the transport truck, a man in his early forties from the lower mainland, was allowed to proceed.
Both the young lady's father and the neighbor, say they realize there is no charge in making a comment of this nature, however, they say they are overly protective given the fact that a number of people have disappeared off Highway 16.
The families have asked that they not be identified in the matter.
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Posted by: Maggie on June 29 2005 11:45 AM
As to hitch hikers, makes sense they would get into the truck of a long distance hauler. Most companies have a no passenger policy, but would a hitch hiker think of that and the prospect of losing a ride??? The majority of those trucks have sleepers, and the driver would have control. He could subdue a hitch hiker, and ditch them hundred of miles away.
Thanks for reporting this one , Ben. Who would have thought a long distance hauler could be a threat??? People often wait outside of truck stops to see if they can get a ride. Pick up would be totally undetected in many instances. Just one episode like this could be a wake up call. Every hitch hiker should pack a cell phone, and when a vehicle stops for them, make a pre arranged call to someone with a description of the vehicle they are getting into. What is this world coming to?? Scarey????