B.C.: Avalanche in Kootenay Pass leaves one dead, another seriously injured
Digital Reporter
Monday, February 24, 2014, 5:37 PM -
A 27 year-old man has been killed and a 27 year-old woman seriously injured following an avalanche in B.C.'s Kootenay Pass on Sunday.
The two skiers were with another pair in the Lightning Strike backcountry region when the avalanche hit around 1 p.m. local time.
Crews were unable to fly into the area Sunday afternoon due to poor weather conditions. A team of roughly two dozen people was sent in that evening.
The woman is being treated for her injuries at Trail Regional Hospital.
On Thursday, a massive avalanche closed BC's Coquihalla Highway.
SEE ALSO: Avalanche shuts down BC highway
The ministry says the storm cycle on the highway's corridor has created avalanche conditions not seen since the Coquihalla opened 27 years ago.
HIGH AVALANCHE RISK
Over the weekend, there was considerable to high avalanche risk across much of BC, prompting the Canadian Avalanche Centre to issue a special public warning.
"The warning is in effect immediately and extends to the end of the day on Wednesday, February 26," the CAC says.
According to Karl Klassen with the CAC, the heightened risk is a result of the extended dry period in late January and early February.
With files from the CBC
