Quote:Missing Whiteface skier found alive in California

Quote:New York State Police said Constantinos “Danny” Filippidis, 49, of Toronto, was found 2,900 miles away Tuesday in Sacramento.

Quote:WILMINGTON, N.Y. —
A skier missing from Whiteface Mountain has been found in California.
New York State Police said Constantinos “Danny” Filippidis, 49, of Toronto, was found 2,900 miles away Tuesday in Sacramento.

Filippidis was reported missing last Wednesday by friends who said he could not be found as the resort was closing.

His belongings were found at the lodge and his car was still in the parking lot.

Since then, hundreds of volunteers have spent about 7,000 hours combing the mountain.
Crews used K-9s and helicopters as part of the search.
The steep and icy terrain make the search even more challenging.
Filippidis made contact with law enforcement officers in Sacramento.

He was reported to be in good health.

The circumstances of Filippidis' disappearance remain under investigation.
Officials have not said why he went missing.

Before Tuesday, police said they had no reason to believe Filippidis was not on the mountain.


The Department of Homeland Security, New York State Police, New York Department of Conservation, United States Customs and Border Protection and officials in Toronto assisted with the search.


Filippidis is a married father of two and a 28-year veteran Toronto firefighter.

He had been skiing with a group of firefighters and retired firefighters.


Toronto Professional Firefighters Local 3888 President Frank Ramagano answered reporters' questions Tuesday evening.

He said Filippidis was found confused and unable to answer questions as to how he got to California.

Ramagano said Filippidis was receiving medical care after calling his wife and then 911.


Filippidis was found alone.


Ramagano said Filippidis did not have a history of mental illness or substance abuse.

He said Filippidis was found wearing the same ski gear, including the helmet and goggles, he was last seen in when he was reported missing.


State police did not say if Filippidis would face criminal charges.


Officials have not said how he traveled to Sacramento.

Ramagano said he did not believe Filippidis flew because he left his identification at Whiteface.


The state has not said how much the search for Filippidis cost.
A press conference was scheduled for Wednesday. More information about the case was expected to be released then.
Source

Quote:'...Filippidis was found alone near the rental car terminal of Sacramento International Airport, still wearing his snow pants, jacket
and had his goggles and ski helmet...'

Quote:'...How or why Filippidis travelled across the United States without telling anyone remains a mystery.
“He wasn’t able to give those answers,” said Frank Ramagnano, president of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association,
who added that Filippidis seemed confused and needed medical help.

What happened to Filippidis in those six days remains unclear. However, it’s possible that he suffered a concussion or head trauma.
“He indicated that he thought he may have sustained some type of head injury,” Hampton said...'

(02-14-2018, 04:41 PM)Mystic Wanderer Wrote: ...Do we have another Travis Walton among us?