Fatal crash of two glider planes near Invermere
By Contributor
Two men died in the Columbia Valley Saturday afternoon after their gliders collided while in flight in the Mount Swansea area of Windermere, south of Invermere.
The two planes were gliding in the same thermal lift and at one point contacted wings, causing both to loose control and crash into the side of Mount Swansea.
This accident was witnessed by another sailplane pilot as well as several other people hiking on the mountain. The hikers were able to quickly locate the gliders, however, neither pilot survived the crash.
Columbia Valley RCMP, Search and Rescue and BCAS attended the scene which was accessible by vehicle, it was confirmed that both men were deceased.
The two pilots and sole occupants of either sailplane were a 50-year-old male from Calgary, and a 59-year-old male from Kelowna.
Both were described as experienced pilots familiar with the area. They had reportedly departed the Invermere airport earlier in the afternoon.
Next of kin notifications are in the process of being completed.
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