Snowmobilers' contest could have triggered fatal avalanche
Source: Agencies |
March 16, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AN avalanche that killed two people at an informal snowmobile rally in Canada's Rocky Mountains may have been triggered by three participants who apparently unleashed a deadly wall of snow on up to 200 people below, witnesses said.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said an even worse tragedy may have been averted because many of the snowmobilers had come equipped with avalanche recovery equipment and dug people out before rescuers arrived at the scene.
Police spokesman Dan Moskaluk told a news conference on Sunday that two men were confirmed dead, not three as reported earlier in the chaotic hours after the slide. Moskaluk later said the search was over. He said they had searched for abandoned vehicles and canvassed area hotels and there was nobody that they knew of unaccounted for. The avalanche hit at around 3:30pm on Saturday on Boulder Mountain.
Moskaluk said they believe the slide was triggered by a stunt known as high-marking - a contest to see who can race up a slope and leave the highest mark. But he declined to say whether the riders responsible had been identified, or whether they were among the dead. Nor would he say whether they could face charges.
He said 30 people were injured, including one person in a critical condition. Three others in a serious condition were taken to regional hospitals. Nineteen people were treated and released at the local hospital.
Despite avalanche warnings, about 200 people had gathered on the mountain for the Big Iron Shoot Out, an annual unsanctioned event known for its party atmosphere and stunt riding that has become popular among people who enjoy snowmobiling in the deep snow of back country British Columbia.
The incident occurred near Revelstoke, about 300 kilometers west of Calgary and 400 kilometers northeast of Vancouver.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said an even worse tragedy may have been averted because many of the snowmobilers had come equipped with avalanche recovery equipment and dug people out before rescuers arrived at the scene.
Police spokesman Dan Moskaluk told a news conference on Sunday that two men were confirmed dead, not three as reported earlier in the chaotic hours after the slide. Moskaluk later said the search was over. He said they had searched for abandoned vehicles and canvassed area hotels and there was nobody that they knew of unaccounted for. The avalanche hit at around 3:30pm on Saturday on Boulder Mountain.
Moskaluk said they believe the slide was triggered by a stunt known as high-marking - a contest to see who can race up a slope and leave the highest mark. But he declined to say whether the riders responsible had been identified, or whether they were among the dead. Nor would he say whether they could face charges.
He said 30 people were injured, including one person in a critical condition. Three others in a serious condition were taken to regional hospitals. Nineteen people were treated and released at the local hospital.
Despite avalanche warnings, about 200 people had gathered on the mountain for the Big Iron Shoot Out, an annual unsanctioned event known for its party atmosphere and stunt riding that has become popular among people who enjoy snowmobiling in the deep snow of back country British Columbia.
The incident occurred near Revelstoke, about 300 kilometers west of Calgary and 400 kilometers northeast of Vancouver.
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