Sunday, February 20, 2011

B.C. avalanche kills 3 near Golden



B.C. avalanche kills 3 near Golden

Three people are dead and another person seriously injured after an avalanche on Mount Gerald, north of Golden, in eastern B.C., RCMP say.

Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said rescue crews were called to the area at about 4:50 p.m. local time after being alerted by an avalanche beacon.

Moskaluk said it appeared a group of four snowmobilers was buried by the avalanche. Other snowmobilers nearby were able to dig out one person, he said. The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The other three snowmobilers remain buried, Moskaluk said, adding rescue crews would return at first light Sunday morning to try to retrieve the bodies.

The avalanche risk in the area at the time was rated considerable to moderate, according to the bulletin on the Canadian Avalanche Centre website.