Report: Man missing in cornfield
Published Wednesday, July 9, 2008
A search and rescue mission was initiated Tuesday night in Otter Tail County where authorities are looking for a man who has been missing since Sunday.
The man, 49-year-old Timothy John Smedstad, was last heard from at 11:20 a.m. Sunday morning, authorities said.
Smedstad called a friend Sunday to say he was lost in a field, Otter Tail County Sheriff Brian Schlueter said.
Searchers began combing an area northwest of Fergus Falls Tuesday afternoon. The search expanded Tuesday night with airplanes and Sheriff's Department Posse horses, Schlueter said.
“The corn is high enough to make finding him difficult,” Schlueter said.
If Smedstad had wandered off on foot and was disoriented for any reason he could walk a long way in a couple of days, Schlueter said.
This morning a ground search was executed near Smedstad’s home on 160th Avenue northwest of Fergus Falls.
The 60 to 70 searchers hail from the Fergus Falls, Rothsay, Dalton, Elizabeth and Pelican Rapids fire departments, as well as Ringdahl Ambulance, the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Posse and the Department of Natural Resources.
The Sheriff’s Department closed off 160th Avenue near Smedstad’s residence Wednesday morning It also appeared that authorities were searching the Pelican River.
“If he were to go towards the Pelican River he could be anywhere,” Schlueter said.
Smedstad’s vehicle is parked at the home as if he were supposed to be home,” Schlueter said.
Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating Smedstad, who is described as 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information should contact the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office at 218-998-8555.
