Prince George, B.C. – An avalanche at Goat Ridge in the Clemina Creek area, roughly 30 kilometers south of Valemount has claimed the life of an unidentified man.

North District media relations officer Constable Lesley Smith says just after 12:30 Saturday afternoon Valemount RCMP received information of several SPOT distress beacons, along with GPS coordinates, being activated in the Clemina Creek snowmobile area.  Search and Rescue teams were immediately deployed  out of Valemount and McBride

RCMP were advised that  several snowmobilers were in the area at the time of the avalanche and confirmed that one person was found buried and confirmed deceased at the scene.

Avalanche technicians immediately declared the area a high risk posing danger to emergency crews trying to enter the area.  Once it has been found safe the BC Coroner Service will be entering the site to assist with recovering the body.

As there is no criminality involved the BC Coroners Service has taken jurisdiction of this fatal incident.

RCMP are warning the public that the area has been deemed a high risk for avalanches and any outdoor enthusiasts are asked to stay away from the area or visit the Canadian Avalanche Center website for any future updates.