An avalanche near the Groat Range Provincial Park has resulted in the death of a Nelson police officer and critically injured another officer.
On January 9, at 12:23 pm, the Kaslo RCMP were called to a report of an avalanche near the Groat Range Provincial Park. In a press release, BC RCMP said two skiers were caught in the avalanche, one of whom was rescued and provided first aid by others in the area, while the search began for the second.
The second individual was later located, but efforts to save their life were unsuccessful. The injured skier was evacuated by helicopter to a local area hospital in critical condition. The two appear to have entered the area by way of snowmobile and hiked to ski a bowl in the alpine, police said.
The City of Nelson has since identified the two as off-duty police officers.
“Thanks to the bystanders for their quick action in recovering and providing care for the skiers,” said Corporal Harland Venema of the Kaslo RCMP. The Kaslo RCMP continue to assist the BC Coroners Service in the investigation.
