A 22 year old man who failed to return from a hiking trip near Shawnigan Lake yesterday was found by searchers this morning, dead.
The young man was dropped of by his caregivers at Koksilah (Coke-SIGH-la) River Provincial Park, west of Shawnigan Lake so he could explore a cave -- but missed his 7pm pick up time.
That's when a search was launched.
While in the forest searchers encountered a cougar that was not showing any fear of humans. The search was called off about 1am and when it resumed this (Thursday) morning they found clothing belonging to the man in the area around Burnt Bridge. Shortly afterwards they found his body.
Authorities have not confirmed how the man died, but they told CTV Vancouver Island searchers were extremely shaken by the discovery.
The BC Coroners Service has been called in to investigate the man's death.