An intense search is ongoing for missing hiker Erik Matthijsen on the island of Saba, who was last seen on a hike in the Well’s Bay area on Wednesday around 11 am.

Matthijsen, who is in his 50s, is an active hiker, and according to Public Entity Saba, is a member of the team working on the Mount Scenery Tower project.

In its latest update on Friday, Public Entity Saba says from early this morning, the search has been ongoing for Matthijsen. 

After narrowing down the search area yesterday, ground teams have been rechecking those identified trails and possible venture and viewpoints. Throughout the day, the helicopter of the contractor from the Mount Scenery Project and a helicopter from VWS will be used for the search.

On Thursday evening, officials said a drone equipped with a thermal imaging camera was deployed with the assistance of Saba Conservation Foundation and attempts were made to trace the phone. All identified trails within the search zone were checked, including probable off-trail routes and viewpoints.

The search for the missing hiker continues.