Five Believed Dead, Others Missing in McBride Avalanche
Prince George, B.C. – Five snowmobilers are believed to have been killed and un unknown number of others are reported missing following an avalanche in the McBride area.
Regional Coroner Donita Kuzma says she has dispatched two coroners from her office to McBride. Kuzma says “we have been notified of five deaths. My understanding is there are a number of people out there in small groups, I don’t think this was one large group, there were a number of people out there.” She also says there are reports of several snowmobilers missing.
She says she was told an avalanche had occurred in the Renshaw area but adds that it is a very fluid situation and information can change quickly.
Kuzma says the RCMP and Coroner’s Service will be conducting separate investigations “and Search and Rescue is, of course, doing all of our recovery at this point.”
According to Kuzma Avalanche Canada has issued a special warning which says “Avalanche Canada has been notified of a significant accident near McBride, BC. We have few details at this time, but reports indicate that likely a snowmobiling incident, possibly involving multiple fatalities, perhaps four, has occurred in the southern part of the North Rockies or the north end of the Cariboos.”
As Kuzma states, she has been informed of five fatalities.
We will have further information as soon as it becomes available.
Comments
My thoughts go out to the families of the dead, injured and missing.
I have been thinking this since last weekends loss in the torpy mtn range, with the Avalanche level high in most areas why are people still going out in the backcountry?
Thoughts and prayers go out to the families involved. And the answer to your question is that everyone thinks that it wont happen to them
That’s true, “it won’t happen to me” I’ve said that before.
Such a loss to those left behind, again condolences to the families involved. Thank you to all those who are helping with this tragedy And a big thank you to all those involved in SAR’s around the province,
The backcountry should have been closed to public access until the avalanche warning was lifted. This happens far too often, and obviously warnings aren’t enough.
“The backcountry should have been closed to public access until the avalanche warning was lifted.”
That’s absurd. Only someone who never ventures out there would make that statement.
Define “the backcountry” for me. Who should be the arbiter of that? Much of my work is in what you might call “the backcountry”- shall I sit at home all winter? Believe it or not there’s lots of “backcountry” that’s perfectly safe, even when the avalanche risk is extreme.
Usually when you hear people talk of closing down the “backcountry” (ridiculous term) it’s a means to an end- “I don’t like snowmobiles so the backcountry should be closed to them”.
perineum. What you really mean to say and I agree. Please use your better judgment after you have consulted all the information available whether it’s a good idea to head out to the back country. Maybe a different location is the better choice. I’m a backcountry enthusiast but have in the past listened to the experts and stayed home.
My condoliances to the family’s.
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