BC Avalanche Death Toll Now 14

Friday, January 16, 2009 08:32 PM

Valemount, B.C.- Another snowmobiler has been killed in an avalanche.

This afternoon, there was an avalanche in the Monashee Mountains about 25 km south of Valemount near Clemina Creek.RCMP officers and the BC Ambulance Service responded immediately. In addition, Robson Valley Search & Rescue were called to assist.

It is believed two snowmobilers in a group of seven were caught in the slide that occurred at approximately 1:00 PM. Both were dug out, however one was not breathing. Efforts to revive the victim were unsuccessful. Everyone in the group has been accounted for, and no other injuries are known. It is not known at this time whether the victim or other members in the group had proper safety equipment and training.

Name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of Next of Kin. The RCMP and the BC Coroners Service continue to investigate.

This brings to 14 the number of people to die in B.C. avalanches this winter.

Previous Story - Next Story

Email |

Print |

Facebook |

Twitter |

Digg |

Del.icio.us

Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 08:32 PM in News by 250 News

Return to Home

Comments

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on January 16 2009 9:15 PM

I'm staying close to home. I only ride for fun.

Posted by: NMG on January 16 2009 9:16 PM

Why on earth are people still continuing to venture into the mountains given the current conditions?

I understand the need to keep living your life and do the things you enjoy, but what we are seeing now would be the equivalent of pushing your 12 foot aluminum with a 9.9 off the launch at Paarens Beach on Stuart Lake, heading out into 2-3 footers (knowing that the wind will keep blowing hard and in turn make those waves 7-8 footers within 20-30 minutes) all for the sake of having fresh fish for dinner instead of hot dogs.

It isn't worth it folks. The tragic thing is that this likely won't be the last such announcement before winter is up.

Posted by: szd on January 17 2009 12:13 AM

I see even the hill at 97 & 16 sluffed the other day, I think the last time saw this was in the spring couple years ago.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on January 17 2009 8:07 AM

So did the little cutbank by the underpass as you turn into WallyMart.

Posted by: sledhead on January 17 2009 9:28 AM

This is so unfortunate....please, please, please sledders in B.C. Go play in the meadows, low elevation, clearcuts, even the groomed trails. Stay away from the risky avalanche areas, they are all very prone to slide right now with the unstable base layer and all it takes is perhaps the vibration from that sled to let it all loose. We all love sledding in the mountains, but there comes a time when you have to really look at the big picture. Is it really worth leaving my family and loved ones behind? I don't want to see our sport's name taken in a negative way, but there have been far too many deaths this year in B.C.'s backcountry. It doesn't give our sport a very positive outlook when every second or third day another avalanche claims a snowmobiler. STAY OUT OF THE HIGH ELEVATION AREAS!!! GO HOME ALIVE!!!