Avalanche results in fatalities and critically injured

Columbia Valley

2023-03-02 09:47 PST

File # 2023-444

On March 1st, 2023, at 12:40 p.m., Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment was notified of an avalanche that occurred at approximately noon. The report was of an avalanche triggered southwest of Invermere, BC.

Initial report was that multiple people, who had been heli-skiing in the area, were caught up by the avalanche.

Rescue efforts began initially with Search and Rescue, however, were stood down prior to their arrival, as all the buried skiers were accounted for.

In total, there were ten people caught up in the avalanche. Three of the skiers are deceased, four were injured, some of which are in serious condition, but believed to survive. One of the seriously injured was the guide.

BC Emergency Health Services was able to take care of all deceased and injured parties, who were then flown to the Invermere Hospital.

All skiers were foreign nationals whose nationalities aren't being released until next-of-kin notifications are completed.

Released by

Cpl. James Grandy

Email: james.grandy@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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