RCMP say 2 missing snowmobilers located in Cape Breton Highlands

RCMP say the second of two missing snowmobilers has been located in the Cape Breton Highlands.

The first person was found this morning and taken to hospital, said RCMP spokesperson Paul Service. Their condition is not known.

Service said the second person was located safe mid-Saturday afternoon and is being assessed by officials on scene.

High winds and blowing snow complicated rescue efforts.

Service said the search began early Saturday near Oregon in Victoria County.

Police were assisted by ground search and rescue services and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, but the weather made things difficult.

Public asked to stay home

Service asked the public to stay away from the area to allow rescue teams space to do their work and for their own safety.

On Facebook, the Ingonish Beach Volunteer Fire Department echoed that claim, explaining they were stationed in nearby Wreck Cove to prevent sleds from entering the park.

"We ask that everyone stay home and let the first responders do their work, the more people in, the more danger, and possible patients we have to look for," the group wrote.

Lt.-Cmdr. Len Hickey, public affairs officer for the JRCC, said a Cormorant helicopter and a Hercules aircraft assisted the RCMP search Saturday morning and looked for cellphone pings.

A ping from a cellphone was passed on to the RCMP's ground search and rescue team, said Hickey, before weather conditions grounded both aircraft around 11:30 a.m.

"The visibility is near zero," said Hickey.