Police organizing search along Hanson Lake Road for missing woman

RCMP are looking for a woman who went missing along the Hanson Lake Road near Smeaton yesterday while picking mushrooms.

Police said that Lois Chartrand, age 74, was last seen around the kilometre 30 marker on Saskatchewan Highway 106 - the Hanson Lake Road - at about 11 a.m. Thursday. Chartrand, described by Saskatchewan RCMP as "an experienced mushroom picker", got separated from a companion while picking, who was unable to find her again and called police.

Chartrand is carrying a radio and has been able to communicate with searchers as recently as Friday morning, but she has still not yet been found.

Severe thunderstorms went through the area Thursday night and into Friday morning, delaying the search for Chartrand.

Chartrand is described as about five feet tall and approximately 90 pounds, last seen wearing a blue jacket and blue jeans. Anyone who spots Chartrand is asked to call 911 immediately.

A command post has been set up about 32 kilometres north of Smeaton along the Hanson Lake Road to aid in the search. RCMP are seeking people familiar with the terrain to attend the post and help with a planned grid search, though they caution that anyone who takes part will need to stick to search protocols to avoid further issues.

"There is limited to no cell service in this area and we stress we do not want people unfamiliar with the terrain to get lost," reads a Saskatchewan RCMP statement.