On March 20 last year, US authorities told hikers planning to tackle the 4,250km Pacific Crest Trail to cancel their trips.
“Limiting the spread of the coronavirus – and the associated economic fall-out – requires sacrifice from everyone,” the Pacific Crest Association said.
For Carmel O’Sullivan, this sacrifice has had heartbreaking consequences because the ongoing searches for her missing son were then called off . The same association once told her it “wasn’t a babysitting service” after she rang them to say she was worried about David, who hadn’t made contact in days.
Ms O’Sullivan and her husband Con, from Midleton, Co Cork, last heard from their son on April 7, 2017, and his mysterious disappearance has rocked the family to its core.