The impact of yesterday’s avalanche tragedy west of Panorama Mountain Resort, involving a RK Heliski guided tour, continues to roll over the Columbia Valley.

Three people were killed and four others badly injured, including a RK guide, around noon March 1 when they were hit by the avalanche. All of the skiers were foreign nationals and their identities are not being released until next-of-kin can be notified.

A 50-year-old company that is a founder and a leader in backcountry tourism, RK Heliski says it is heartbroken.

RK President Tom Brinkerhoff and General Manager Graham Holt this afternoon issued a statement to media at the Heli-plex located in Panorama.

“The guests and the guides who ski with us each season are part of our family. We are heartbroken about the accident that happened yesterday. It is impossible to put into words the sorrow that we feel and the sadness that is shared by our guests, their families and all of our staff. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved, their loved ones and the community,” said Brinkerhoff.

“We are grateful to all the outside agencies and our team who jumped into action when the avalanche was reported shortly after noon yesterday. We would like to thank the professional Ski Patrollers from Panorama Mountain Resort, CMH Bugaboos for their dedicated team of professional ACMG guides and supporting aircrafts from Coldstream Helicopters, Silver King Helicopters, Glacier Helicopters and CMH Helicopters.

“We have asked our industry association, HeliCat Canada, to activate the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team of Peer Responders to support our team.

“We have served 160,000 clients with over 800,000 guided runs since 1970, our top priority has been the safety of our guests and staff. We remain committed to best-in-class safety processes and protocols. During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved and their loved ones,” Brinkerhoff concluded.

“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been impacted, and with everyone who was involved in the emergency response,” said Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Electoral Area F Director Susan Clovechok.

“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals, volunteers, organizations, emergency responders, and health care teams who responded yesterday. We are so fortunate to have so many amazing and skilled people in our valley who, in the face of tragedy, work together seamlessly.

“This is a small valley and we all care deeply for one another. There are no words that adequately can convey our sorrow for the lives lost and all of the lives affected by this tragedy,” added Clovechok.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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