McBride, BC – RCMP in McBride say one snowmobiler has been killed and another is missing following an avalanche in the backcountry near that community this afternoon.

Police say they received a report of the mishap, which occurred just west of McBride in the Dore River drainage area, at approximately 1:45pm.

At this time, RCMP will not say whether the pair was part of a larger group out snowmobiling.  The victims’ names and hometowns are being withheld, pending notification of next of kin.

Due to poor weather and the extreme risk of subsequent slides, RCMP say it was too dangerous to put anyone on the ground this afternoon.

A helicopter was able to fly over the site with an avalanche technician on-board, but police say a re-assessment will be done in the morning to determine just when searchers can move into the area.