An Australian hiker has gone missing in Canadian bear country, prompting an urgent plea from her family as searches continue.
Twenty-four-year-old Julia-Mary Lane was living in town in Alberta, Canada, and travelled to British Columbia for a week-long road trip, according to a social media post from her housemate.
In a social media post, Lane’s Canadian housemate Janet Hamilton said she contacted Lane’s family early on Tuesday morning Queensland time after she failed to return from a trip at Bear Lake near the town of Kimberley.
She said the family had not heard from Lane since Saturday morning and held grave fears for her safety.
Lane, who is from Brisbane, had been living in Alberta, Canada since early January.
Her car was found at Bear Lake. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are conducting a search and rescue effort.
Lane’s brother, Conor, wrote on social media early Tuesday morning that police were searching the area where her car had been found.
Her Garmin watch’s last activity showed her on a hike on Friday near Marysville, south of Kimberley.
“Last we heard from her she was on a hike/heading for a hike,” he wrote. “Please reach out and let me know if you have seen her or have any info on where she might be.”
In a message on a local Facebook group, Hamilton asked for any information that could assist authorities with Lane’s whereabouts.
“I haven’t seen my young Australian housemate, JM, since Saturday afternoon and I’m wondering if anyone ran across her while hiking?” she wrote.
“She came to Kimberley from Canmore just for a week, with plans to hike most days.”
Later, Hamilton wrote that she had spoken to her family in Australia who were “all very worried”.
“Disappearing like this is completely out of character for JM,” she wrote. “They are normally in contact with her daily and have not heard from her since Saturday morning.”
Days earlier, Lane had posted to a Facebook group requesting recommendations for local hikes in the region.
“I’m visiting from Canmore for a few days and would love to join any moderate to challenging hikes anyone has planned,” she wrote. “I am comfortable hiking solo but would prefer to go with a group to minimise bear risk of course.”
