Three heli-skiers killed, one critically injured in BC avalanche

Three people have lost their lives and one is in critical condition after being swept away by an avalanche in the Kootenay region of British Columbia.

The quartet had been heli-skiing at the time.

According to the BC RCMP, the incident took place just before 1 p.m. on March 24 in an alpine area on the east side of Kootenay Lake. Two groups of skiers had just completed their journey down the bowl and were waiting for their helicopter in a designated area below the tree line of the Clute Creek water shed.

As the helicopter got closer, however, the pilot noticed the avalanche coming down the mountain. They sounded the siren, at which point both groups of skiers attempted to flee. One managed to escape, but the other was buried.

A 44-year-old man from Whistler, a 45-year-old man from Idaho, and their 53-year-old guide from Kaslo were killed. The fourth member of their group, a 40-year-old man from Nelson, sustained injuries.

The BC Coroners Service has launched an investigation with the assistance of the Kaslo RCMP.

More to come...