30-year-old Tomasz Ziolkowski was reported missing after a mountain hike in 2016. He was last seen by another hiker in the area around Solnæsvatnet in the mountains just north of the center of Ulvik. During the autumn of this year, the police received reports of the discovery of, among other things, clothing in the area at Ljoneskrulen, not far from Solnæsvatnet, writes Avisa Hordaland, which discussed the case first. Now the police confirm that the findings are the remains of missing Tomasz Ziolkowski, and they are thus closing the disappearance case. – The most important thing is that the family has found out what has happened, and that he has been found, says station chief at Voss police station, Ivar Hellene. The 30-year-old from Poland was a seasonal worker at a hotel in Ulvik. Photo: Privat Reported missing by his colleagues On 6 September 2016, Ziolkowski was reported missing by his work colleagues after he did not show up for work. A hiker tipped off that he had seen the missing 30-year-old at Solnæsvatnet, and a major rescue operation was launched. Station commander at Voss police station, Ivar Hellene, says that a helicopter, boat and rescue dogs were used, among other things, in the search for the 30-year-old from Poland. The remains were found in the area that was searched six years ago. The area is inaccessible, and is characterized by rock and stone. According to Hellene, it is an area that people rarely travel in. – We had hoped to find him. It always bothers us when someone is missing, he says. A helicopter was used in the search for missing Ziolkowski. Photo: Vidar Herre / Avisa Hordaland Affected the whole village Ziolkowski was in Norway as a seasonal worker, and had worked for a couple of years at Brakane’s hotel. It was also where he was employed when he was first reported missing. Several of those who were employed at the hotel when Ziolkowski disappeared still work there, says hotel director Ingrid Prestegard. – None of us will forget the hours and days the search operation took place, she says. According to her, the whole village was affected by the search operation. Locals participated in the campaign, and the hotel contributed food to the search teams. The warm autumn of that year meant that the Sea King helicopter flew over the village for many days before the police switched to looking for a casualty. – We have always had faith that he would be found. It feels good that he has been found, even if it hurts to think about it. It is good to know that we know what has happened, says Prestegard.
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– Good to know that we know what has happened – news Vestland
