Skip to content

Fernie man dies in avalanche

The 35-year-old man was caught in an avalanche near Valemount
24351210_web1_RCMP_Stock_McLachlanP_PGM_9214

A Fernie man has died in an avalanche in Northern B.C.

On Tuesday Feb. 23, a 35-year-old Fernie man was reported missing after he and two other skiers were caught in an avalanche north of Valemount.

North District RCMP reported that his two companions were able to free themselves, but the Fernie man was could not be located by emergency responders, with the search called off on Tuesday due to darkness.

The search was continued the next day, with the man found dead in the avalanche debris field by Robson Valley Search and Rescue.

RCMP reported that the three skiers had been caught in a class 3.5 avalanche in the Swift Creek Valley at 2.55 p.m. on Feb. 23, with one of the survivors alerting emergency services immediately. The two survivors were not injured.

The B.C. Coroner Service has taken over the investigation.

READ MORE: Search and Rescue helicopter plucks missing Hope man off of mountain top in Manning Park



scott.tibballs@thefreepress.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter