Revelstoke, B.C.- The search of Friday's avalanche site near Revelstoke has been concluded and RCMP say there are no other victims.
A 30 year old man from calgary died in the afternoon slide at the Eagle Pass Peak area near Three Valley Gap.
The investigation has confirmed that there were two groups of snowmobilers in the area at the time that the slide occurred. Two snowmobilers were ascending the hill, (known as highmarking) when the avalanche triggered, classifying the slide as human triggered.
A massive slide broke and has been catagorized as a class 4 avalanche. A second group of 10 snowmobilers were at the base and had positioned themselves in a location which did minimize the effect of the slide. One of the ten, however was buried by the slide. The deceased is a 30 year old male of Calgary, Alberta. Police are continnuing their assistance to the family of the deceased. Another male was injured, but the injuries were minor not requiring medical attention.
Revelstoke RCMP and Sicamous RCMP conducted a canvassing effort at known staging parking lots throughout Friday evening in order to confirm the numbers of persons known to be in the area. Investigators determined that there were upwards of 66 known users logged in at the area trail head entry point, however witness statements indicate that the known persons in the immediate slide area was limited to those twelve persons.
The BC Coroners Service along with RCMP Forensic Identification members will conduct an aerial survey, with both agencies continuing their investigations into the incident.
It has been confirmed that no further victims were located yesterday by Search and Rescue, nor did the avalanche rescue dogs indicate any sign of more persons buried.
"Based on witness accounts and the findings of yesterdays search effort, the search is deemed concluded. We can state with high degree of confidence that all persons involved have been accounted for. Area instability at the present time does not permit searchers to return to the area without stabilization efforts in addition to the current information there is no known need for searchers to continue at this time. The Revelstoke Search and Rescue Team and CARDA were again instrumental in to the quick and professional response, in addition to several local heli ski Co. including Selkirk-Tangiers Heli-ski and Canadian Mountain Holidays (Heli)", stated Cpl Dan Moskaluk.
"Once again within just one week of a previous deadly slide, we have a stark reminder of the risks associated to back country snowmobiling activity. In this instance the affected group had taken some precaution by placing themselves in a safe position to minimize the risk, it is evident that 100 percent of risk cannot be eliminated," added Cpl Moskaluk.
