MERRITT, B.C. — The 32-year-old man missing in B.C.'s southern Interior area has been identified as Ben Tyner, a cowboy with the Nicola Ranch near Merritt.
Officials with the ranch confirm Tyner is the man missing and he is a manager at the cattle operation.
Tyner was last seen Saturday but a search was not launched until Monday when loggers in the Nicola Valley found a horse in full gear, but no sign of its rider.
Merritt RCMP Const. Tracy Dunsmore says other ranchers believe Tyner rode to an area known as Swakum Ridge, northwest of Merritt, searching for cattle belonging to the ranch.
Police say he wasn't immediately reported missing because he was working on his days off and may not have told anyone about his plans.
RCMP dog services and air support as well as members from nine southern B.C. search and rescue teams continue to scour the area but police say active logging and herds of wild horses have obscured possible tracks. (CHNL)