Squamish man killed in avalanche south of Whistler
By Nelson Daily Staff
A 44-year-old male from Squamish died Tuesday when an avalanche buried a group of snowmobilers in the Grizzly Lake area on Powder Mountain south of Whistler.
At approximately 3:38 pm, Whistler RCMP were notified of an avalanche south of Whistler.
A group of five men were snowmobiling in the area when two of the males attempted to climb a steep snow laden slope. The two snowmobilers triggered a large avalanche burying one of the two men.
The local Integrated Avalanche Rescue Plan was immediately put into effect deploying SAR (Search And Rescue) members, Ski Patrol members and two CARDA (Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association) dog/handler teams from the Whistler Blackcomb Ski area via Helicopter to the area.
The companions of the buried male managed to dig him out after approximately 20 minutes.
He was unconscious, unresponsive, not breathing with no pulse. The male’s companions started CPR and continued until the SAR and Ski Patrol members took over.
A doctor and paramedic from Whistler Blackcomb were flown into the area to further assess the male.
The injured man was flown to the Whistler heliport with CPR in progress and taken by ambulance to the Whistler Health Care Center where he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into this tragic incident continues and highlights the dangers that exist in the back country.
People travelling in the back country must ensure that they exercise sound judgement when selecting their routes of travel and are properly trained and equipped for companion rescue.
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