Searchers find missing ATV, but not its rider

Herald staff

GOLD BAR — Search crews this morning planned to resume an intense search for a 40-year-old Everett man who drove away on his all-terrain vehicle New Year’s Eve and never returned to his camp near here.

The missing man was identified as Scott Pettibone, Snohomish County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Jan Jorgensen said.

The crews are searching a rugged area east of here around Reiter Road. The area is not far from the Skykomish River.

Pettibone and two companions had camped near an area known as Reiter Pit. He left the 38-foot camping trailer on his ATV to do some exploring and never returned, Jorgensen said.

Searchers found the vehicle 2 1/2 miles away from the camp when they began a search at dawn Tuesday, Jorgensen said. The driver was nowhere to be found.

"He was not equipped for an overnight stay," she said Tuesday night. "We’re very concerned, and we’re hoping for the best tomorrow."

A helicopter was used early in the day until the weather closed in, she said. Ground parties, search dogs and people experienced in tracking humans in the woods also participated.

Members of a four-wheel-drive club, the Timber Tamers, happened to be in the area and assisted searchers. Also, personnel from search units in King and Skagit counties participated, Jorgensen said.

Pettibone is a white male who stands about 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. He has brown hair, blue eyes and a trim beard.

He was last seen wearing a black coat with red sleeves, a yellow rain suit and green rain boots, Jorgensen said.

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