By Lyonel Doherty
Special to the Pioneer
Columbia Valley is mourning the death of a snowmobiler who was caught in an avalanche during a group excursion in the Thunderwater Lake area near Invermere on April 15.
“My heart goes out to everyone that has been impacted by this tragedy,” said RDEK Area G Director Roberta Schnider. “I offer sympathy to the family and loved ones of the individual who lost their life, and my thoughts are with the people involved who have been affected immeasurably.”
Schnider said she has “sincere gratitude” to every person involved in the incident, including first responders, BC Ambulance Service, Columbia Valley Search and Rescue, and the RCMP.
Tragedy struck when three snowmobilers entered the area of Forster Creek on a slope above Whirlpool Lake at an elevation of 2,300 metres, according to Avalanche Canada. Two riders were involved in the slide that was reportedly triggered near a rocky feature on the slope.
“One rider managed to ride off to the side, the other was caught and buried approximately two metres deep on a bench feature mid-path,” Avalanche Canada told The Pioneer.
The snowmobiler was subsequently located by their party who initiated CPR. Columbia Valley Search and Rescue responded and evacuated the subject via helicopter to awaiting BC Ambulance paramedics in Invermere, but the victim did not survive. The name of the deceased and where they were from was not made public.
The Pioneer reached out to the Columbia Valley RCMP but could not garner a response by press time Tuesday.
The avalanche was reported to be a storm slab over a crust of snow. Avalanche Canada said the slide was 40 to 100 cm deep, 100 metres wide, and 300 metres long.
Columbia Valley Search and Rescue urges people to be cautious in the backcountry this spring, particularly during avalanche conditions. They report that new snow is “very reactive” on buried crust, and that slides can be triggered by warm weather and by the actions of snowmobilers and skiers. Search and Rescue encourages recreationalists to view daily bulletins by Avalanche Canada at www.avalanche.ca and to get the training to stay safe.
Avalanche Canada says several serious avalanche accidents have been reported recently as dangerous conditions persist in many parts of Western Canada.
“With new snow on the way for the coast and interior regions, we’re expecting that avalanche danger will remain elevated,” Avalanche Canada reports.