A German heli-skier is dead after being caught in an avalanche east of Jumbo Mountain, west of Invermere.

The Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment reports that it was advised of the fatal avalanche Feb. 18.

“A group of skiers were heli-skiing with RK Heli Skiing with a heli-guide. The area where three males were caught in the avalanche is described as 150 metres wide, which ran down the mountain for approximately 300 metres,” reported Columbia Valley Detachment S/Sgt. Marko Shehovac.

“Three adult males were caught up in the avalanche. A heli-guide assisted by other skiers in the group using beacons, recovered one male buried, who received non-life threatening injuries.  A second male was partially buried was rescued. The third male, a 34-year-old male from Germany, was found buried and unresponsive. This male was immediately flown to Invermere Hospital by RK Heli ski helicopter where attempts to revive him failed,” Shehovac outlined in a press release.

The males, all friends from Germany, were on their sixth run of the day when this occurred. Weather conditions at the time were reported to be good.

“All skiers are trained to properly use a beacon before heading out on the ski adventure. Assistance by the guide resulted in the quick recovery of the one person who was buried and survived. The cause of death for the deceased is unknown at this time,” RCMP explained.

The friends skiing with the deceased assisted in notifying the next of kin in Germany.
The investigation is now led by the BC Coroners Service.

This is the first avalanche fatality experienced by RK Heli-Skiing in 43 years of operation in the central Purcell Mountains, west of Invermere.

e-KNOW 

Article Share