By The Canadian Press

Search continues for missing aircraft and couple on board

Jun 12, 2017 | 5:25 AM

KELOWNA, B.C. – Searchers are continuing to hunt for a small plane and two passengers after the aircraft disappeared en route to Kamloops, B.C.

Canadian military spokesman Lt.-Col. Bryn Elliott says 13 military planes and two Cormorant helicopters were in the air Sunday, conducting sweeps of a vast area between Cranbrook and Kamloops.

A Piper Warrior plane was reported missing Thursday afternoon after it made a refuelling stop in Cranbrook, in southeastern B.C.

Police say the aircraft was headed towards Kamloops and two people are believed to have been on board pilot Alex Simons, 21, of Kamloops and passenger Sidney Robillard, 24, of Lethbridge, Alta.

Elliott says searchers have very little information about what happened, but they do know that a thunderstorm rolled through Cranbrook shortly after the plane departed and weather may have been a factor in the disappearance.

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He says low clouds and heavily wooded terrain are also making the search difficult.