Search for missing rider

[asp_125]

Harnessing the power of the internet.

I know it's not the immediate search area, but in case somebody has seen this Goldwing with CO plates show up locally.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PLEASE CROSS-POST to forums where folks might be in the area......
(It's already on ADV, Pashnit, ST-Owners, Concours, Harley CVO, MySuzuki, MagnaMotorcycles, BonnevilleOwnersClub, Sport-Touring.net)

From the Pashnit forum on 9/7/09:

Quote:
Donald Masters left Orofino, ID, Monday, August 31, headed for West Yellowstone and then on to Denver. He has not been seen or heard from since. We have reason to believe he may have gone missing Monday (he was due into Denver Wednesday). He was riding a black 2008 Goldwing, Colorado Plate #327-UTH.

If you are riding Lolo Pass, or anywhere between Missoula and W. Yellowstone, please be on the lookout for Donald and his bike. He's 62 years old, weighs about 175 and is about 5'9" tall. His bike would have been loaded with a fair amount of gear as he was on a 2+ week trip. If you have seen him or have information about him or his bike, please call the Clearwater County (ID) Sheriff's Department at 208-476-4521.
His credit card shows his last gas fill-up in Lolo, MT on the afternoon of August 31.

Everyone in the area of Lolo Pass please be on the look out for a possible crash site.

Here's more info from the ST-Owners site along with links to the Pashnit forum:

ST-Owners has put out a call for a search (and cross-posting of details).
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72221 (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72221)


Quote:
The Plan:
Start in West Yellowstone (Best Western (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=best+western,&sll=44.673536,-111.121216&sspn=0.019287,0.055189&ie=UTF8&radius=1.36&rq=1&ev=zi&ll=44.664014,-111.10199&spn=0.019291,0.055189&z=14&iwloc=A))
or
Start in Lolo, MT (Mountain Town Coffee (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=mountain+town+coffee,+lolo,+mt&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=22.094127,56.513672&ie=UTF8&ll=46.797709,-114.075165&spn=0.07427,0.220757&z=12&iwloc=A))

Date - Saturday 9/12/2009 starting at 7:00 AM

Follow the path in the map or any possible side tracks that a MC rider on a Wing might take as part of a normal ride.

Search every possible 'get off' curve or questionable stretch of the route, please be safe. Please try to stay in groups of 3 to 5 bikes, take your time and try be safe yourself as we don't want to have any issues due to the search. If you are in a group, give each other some distance in case one of you sees something and needs to pull over unexpectedly.

Bring binoculars.. if you pull off somewhere to look, use them to scan and cover more of the area and places not easily seen from the road.

If you have any important information, please call the Clearwater County (ID) Sheriff's Department at (208) 476-4521.

Donald is riding a black 2008 Goldwing, Colorado Plate #327-UTH

Here is a picture of Donald on a Siver goldwing, again he would be riding a BLACK wing not a silver one:
http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/v226/589/15/n1508615415_3279.jpg

Post by Fred D:
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71984 (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71984)

Smithee on the pashnit forum is his brother-in-law so he started a thread over there as well:
http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24013 (http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24013)

Map by Fred D:
http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/645440971_rQrfJ-O.jpg

[#1Townie]

hope the guys ok.

[Nick_Ninja]

My bro-in-law is in the area. Covered by CO locals.

[chanke4252]

Yes, I hope so too. Hope a fair amount of people get out to look for him and he is found.

[Devaclis]

Update:

Re: Search for Donald Masters of Orofino, ID 9/12/2009
LostBrit posted this:
I just heard back from Clearwater chief of police, they confirm a report was made and an initial investigation that confirms the CC usage in Lolo.

They also report a subsequent check and CC usage at Fay Meyers (Honda MC dealer) in Denver on 8th Sept.

The detective assigned to the case is supposed to call me in the morning, I will post a further update then.

[JustSomeDude]

FOUND

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_13383356?source=rss

RIP rider :(

[asp_125]

Sad. I hope he didn't suffer, in pain and alone in his final moments. My thoughts are with his family and friends, if there is such a thing as closure.

[Matty]

Sad.... RIP.

[2wheelsgood]

man that sucks... at least he died doing what he loved.

i hope it was quick. rest in peace man.

[Nick_Ninja]

RIP rider.

[MetaLord 9]

RIP rider. :(

[~Barn~]

Sad to hear. R.I.P rider.

[Dr. Joe Siphek]

R.I.P.

So i'm confused...how was his CC used @ Fay Meyers on 9/8, if he crashed on 8/31???

[Wyck]

R.I.P.

So i'm confused...how was his CC used @ Fay Meyers on 9/8, if he crashed on 8/31???


That's what I was wondering....

[2wheelsgood]

R.I.P.

So i'm confused...how was his CC used @ Fay Meyers on 9/8, if he crashed on 8/31???

I wondered about this too, when I read the story.

could be a typo in the news story, or the reporter (or somebody at fay myers, or the credit card company) got it wrong, although I would doubt that, that's the kind of detail they really try to get right on a story like this.

maybe he discovered while on the road that he needed a part and ordered it by phone from fay myers parts department and they billed him when the part arrived? (although that's not how that usually works, it's usually pay-when-you-order, isn't it? at least it has been for me).

I believe (somebody correct me if I'm wrong) that there are all kinds of "holds" that can be placed not only on credit card accounts but any kind of money account. Maybe somebody who works in the credit biz would have an idea. Maybe his transaction was held somehow until a certain time.

If he bought the bike at Fay Myers, and they do their own financing and he had automatic bill payment set up, that might explain it--his monthly bike payment going through.

Maybe his wife or somebody made the Fay Myers purchase with that account. Maybe it was some kind of prepayment for bike-towing "just in case", something like that.

...hard to say...

[Zach929rr]

maybe he discovered while on the road that he needed a part and ordered it by phone from fay myers parts department and they billed him when the part arrived? (although that's not how that usually works, it's usually pay-when-you-order, isn't it? at least it has been for me).


I have ordered parts from MC shops and not paid until they arrive.

[MVBrutaleRider]

usually i have to pay on the phone from fay myers... probably what happened...

RIP rider

- justin

[JustSomeDude]

R.I.P.

So i'm confused...how was his CC used @ Fay Meyers on 9/8, if he crashed on 8/31???

Many businesses do not charge cards until an order has been filled and/or shipped. For example, I ordered an Eotech red dot site online in March. However, due to the spike in gun sales since the Obama inauguration, the model I want is STILL unavailable. And even though the order was placed 6 months ago... my card has still not been charged.

I could die tomorrow - yet a charge could show up 6 weeks down the line once the company ships my order. This type of scenario is what was theorized at the ST-Owners.com forum site linked to in the original post.

[McVaaahhh]

RIP Rider. :(

I hope he went quick and didn't suffer alone in that ditch...

[Jason ON]

Wow. Having done long distance solo trips I always have it in my mind: what if I go into a ditch on this backroad? R.I.P rider.

[mtnairlover]

Yeah, me too. RIP

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Wow. Sad. RIP rider, condolences to family and friends. the say he died at the scene, but didn't say instantly. I hope he didn't lay there dying for days......:(

[#1Townie]

RIP

[RajunCajun]

Sad. I hope he didn't suffer, in pain and alone in his final moments. My thoughts are with his family and friends, if there is such a thing as closure.

Yeah, same here. And yeah, I think that there would be some closure. Knowing is easier to bear than wondering for the rest of you life.


man that sucks... at least he died doing what he loved.

i hope it was quick. rest in peace man.

Yeah, kinda going out on your own terms, well, kinda:(
R.I.P. Donald

[CaneZach]

Sad news. RIP rider.