Five Confirmed Dead in McBride Avalanche
McBride, B.C. – The McBride RCMP is currently coordinating the rescue and recovery operation of a number of snowmobilers who were involved in a fatal avalanche in the Renshaw area near McBride this afternoon.
At approximately 1:30 pm, the RCMP was notified of two separate GPS beacon activations in the Renshaw area just East of McBride. In anticipation of the beacon activations being due to an avalanche or injured parties, RCMP activated the Robson Valley Search and Rescue Team. One helicopter was dispatched to the area to assist, and quickly confirmed that the incident did involve an avalanche and snowmobilers.
SAR members on the ground indicated that the incident involved at least three separate groups of snowmobilers being caught in an avalanche. Two SAR technicians were on scene almost immediately as they were snowmobiling in the area just prior to the slide occurring. Throughout the afternoon, SAR technicians assisted with the rescue of several snowmobilers belonging to at least three separate groups that were caught in the slide. In conjunction with assisting those individuals, SAR technicians also tended to the search for people suspected of being buried in the slide.
As of 6:00 pm the McBride RCMP is able to confirm that 5 snowmobilers are deceased and have been recovered from the avalanche area. Several snowmobiling groups were in the area at the time. Efforts by the RCMP and SAR are continuing in making a determination that all other snowmobilers that were in the area are accounted for. 6 to 8 other snowmobilers lost snowmobiles in the avalanche and are being shuttled off of the mountain, according to RCMP Cpl Dan Moskaluk. The McBride RCMP is being assisted with resources from the Valemount RCMP. The BC Coroners Service has been advised and is also attending.
No further information is being released at this time pending the completion of the search effort and completion of notification of next of kin. An update may be forthcoming early Saturday afternoon regarding the progress of the search and recovery effort.
Comments
Very sad news.
With all due respect, I sincerely hope that this tragedy makes people think twice before heading for the mountains this week end.
Godspeed to the deceased.
metalman.
I know a lot of guys that ride out there. I really hope it is no one that I know, but they all no doubt have people hoping it isn’t who ever it turns out to be.
Its just terrible to think one moment one can be out doing what they love, and then the next everything is taken from them in an instant. One often has close calls in life and thankful that’s all it was, but other times people simply loose out on the lottery of life. Its a terrible thing.
My condolences to all those who were lost or are waiting for a phone call that might not be coming tonight.
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