MOAB, Utah, Aug. 26, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Search efforts are underway for a 76-year-old French national, missing in Arches National Park for more than a week.
A press release issued Sunday by the National Park Service, said Francis Userovici has been missing “since approximately August 16th.”
He was last seen by family members on August 13th.
“Rangers became aware of an abandoned rental vehicle at the Sand Dune Arch trailhead August 23 at approximately 9:45 p.m.,” the NPS press release said. It’s believed Userovici entered the park 7 days before, around 8:50 a.m. on August 16th.
Rangers are searching the Sand Dune Arch area of the park for the septuagenarian, described as a “Caucasian male with short gray hair, about 5’6” and of slender build. He wears glasses, may be wearing size 8.5 sneakers, and may have a small red Nikon camera with him.”
Rangers began a ground search on August 24. That search has now expanded into a multi-agency effort with teams from the National Park Service, Grand County Search and Rescue, and the Moab Interagency Fire Center participating with Bureau of Land Management helicopter assistance.
Anyone who may have relevant information or was in the area and saw an individual who fits the description is encouraged to contact the National Park Service Tip Line by calling 888-653-0009, submitting a tip online at go.nps.gov/SubmitATip, or by email at e-mail us.
