Thread: BC Avalanche Kills 2

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/...-smithers.html

2 skiers killed in British Columbia avalanche
Last Updated: Monday, April 2, 2007 | 11:14 PM ET
CBC News

Two skiers were killed in an avalanche in northern British Columbia on Monday.

Three other skiers were rescued when the avalanche struck before noon on a mountain about 230 kilometres north of Smithers.

The five skiers were taking part in a helicopter ski trip organized by Last Frontier Heliskiing, an adventure company based in Vernon, B.C.

The group was accompanied by a guide and a helicopter pilot, said Mike Watling, a spokesman for the company. They were not harmed.

Watling would not release the names or home towns of the dead or rescued skiers.

"We are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts go out to all those involved," he said.

The company has hired counsellors to help its staff cope with the tragedy.

Any updates?

+++++++++++++++++ vibes to the families

Be careful out there guys

Info is to be released this afternoon.

A little more info

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http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/04/03/bc-avalanche.html

Two people are dead and three others were injured after being hit by an avalanche while backcountry skiing in the northwest corner of B.C. on Monday.

Four heli-skiers and a guide had been dropped off on a mountain near the small town of Stewart before the avalanche.

Mike Watling, spokesman for Last Frontier Heliskiing, said counsellors have been brought in to help staff and guests at the company's lodge. Mike Watling, spokesman for Last Frontier Heliskiing, said counsellors have been brought in to help staff and guests at the company's lodge.
(CBC)

The three survivors were airlifted to a nearby medical centre. They have since been transferred to hospital in Prince Rupert, where two of them are listed in stable condition with non life-threatening injuries.

The third injured skier is reported to be in serious condition. One of those killed is a Canadian woman and the other a man of Japanese ancestry. Their bodies remain on the mountain and names are being withheld.

The area is popular with backcountry skiers from across Canada and around the world.

The RCMP have begun an investigation, but say they're being hampered by the remote location of the avalanche.
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The company involved in the tragedy, Last Frontier Heliskiing, based in Vernon, B.C., has been operating in the Stewart area for about 12 years.
'We are deeply saddened'

Spokesman Mike Watling said the skiers had been dropped off by one of the company's helicopters early Monday, a day when avalanche conditions were rated moderate to low.

Last Frontier plays host to about 400 skiers a year, most of them from Europe. Watling said this is the first time the company has lost any of its skiers.

"We are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts go out to all those involved," he said.

He also said a team of crisis counsellors has been called to the lodge to help employees and guests deal with the deaths.

Meanwhile, search-and-rescue crews are out assessing the danger of further avalanches in the region.

Size 3.5 Avy, on Delta peak. N 56°39' 08.0" W 129°34' 13.0"

Update from Last Frontier Heliskiing
We are cooperating with the RCMP and the BC Coroner's service who are conducting an investigation into the incident which occurred yesterday.
The RCMP have released information that one of the deceased was a male of Japanese origin and the other a Canadian female.
The incident occurred mid-morning 230km north of Smithers in the Delta Peak area.
The weather was clear with – 10 c Temperature and good visibility. The slide was of a 3.5 size at an elevation of 1300 Meters.
A group of 5 guests and their guide were caught in the slide. Three of the group were injured and airlifted to nearby medical facilities.
"Our focus remains on taking care of those guests and staff at the lodge," says Mike Watling of Last Frontier Heliskiing, "again we'd like to reiterate our gratefulness to those professional staff involved in the rescue, who were on the scene within minutes.
Further enquiries can be directed to the RCMP and / or BC Coroner's Service

That's the latest I've heard

1.7m crown, ran on facets on a crust.

Initial report from the coroner's office.

http://www.avalancheinfo.net/Media/2...20accident.pdf