Search suspended for missing rancher near Merritt

Meritt RCMPand multiple rescue crews have suspended their hunt for a missing rancher after a week-long searchin harsh weather conditions.

Ben Tyner was reported missing after loggers found hisriderless horse still wearing a saddle on Jan. 28 just north of Merritt.

The 32-year-old from Wyomingworks at a cattle ranch in nearby Nicola, B.C. and was last seen there on Saturday, Jan. 26.

The large-scale operation to find Tyner included more than a dozensearch and rescueteams.Horseback riders, helicopters, police dogs, drones and community volunteers have also combedthe backcountry looking for the missing cowboy.

Merritt RCMP,sayvolunteerssearched drainage ditches and steep terrain on Sunday but coldtemperatures and snow hindered theirefforts.

Temperatures in the area dipped below 20 C on Sunday.

RCMP said they are suspending rescue efforts both because of the extreme weather and because a largearea north of Merritthas been extensively searched.

Police will continue to investigate and said the search could resume if more information becomes available.

Anyone with information on Tyner's whereabouts is asked to contactMerrittRCMP or Crime Stoppers.