News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

**  Update:  Monday, 15 March 2010 02:09

The search effort concluded around 8:30pm last night on Boulder Mountain.  Ground searchers were able to remove all surface debris from the slide area which will permit avalanche dog teams to continue to search, less hindered by contaminated surface debris. No further sign was indicated by the avalanche dog units today, nor any further recoveries. The search will resume later this moring.

(Photo: Avalanche Technicians with Parks Canada along with the BC Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel flew over the slide site Sunday morning to properly assess the safety levels for ground searchers to enter the location.  Photos courtesy of the British Columbia RCMP.)

The RCMP had confirmed that all persons on the accumulated lists which had been compiled have no been accounted for. No missing persons reports were received in connection to the event. Investigators were able to locate all registered owners of vehicles noted in the mountain area parking lots.

"Our deepest condolences are extended to the two Alberta area families for their loss of loved ones," stated RCMP Corporal Dan Moskaluk.

Police and the BC Coroners Service have completed the contact of next of kin of the following men who have been confirmed as deceased:

33 year old Curtis Reynolds of Strathmore, AB

33 year old Shay Snortland of Lacombe, AB

The BC Coroners Service and the Revelstoke RCMP are investigating all aspects of this incident, including the deaths of Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Snortland.

**Update:  Sunday, 14 March 2010 14:59

The RCMP has examined previously reported information and as of 7:00am on March 14th, have confirmed the following; 2 males deceased, 30 injured as a result of the avalanche.

19 persons were released from hospital with 1 person remaining in critical and 3 individuals in serious condition.  These four individuals have all been transferred to Kamloops Royal Inlands Hospital, Kelowna General, Vernon Regional and Calgary Foothills hospital for care.    

** Originally published: Sunday, 14 March 2010 00:01

RCMP have confirmed that three people have died and a dozen people have suffered injuries of varying degrees.

At 3:30pm on Saturday March 13 2010, the Revelstoke RCMP received reports of an avalanche occurring on Boulder Mountain near Revelstoke, during a snowmobile competition attended by approximately 200 persons in the area. A large scale rescue operation commenced and is continuing.

"We do know that there were approximately 200 people attending an annual snowmobiling event known as "The Big Iron Shoot out", in the Turbo Bowl area on Boulder Mountain, " advised RCMP Corporal Dan Moskaluk.  "We had a tremendous number of emergency rescue assets deployed from the onset of this tragic incident."    

There are currently 4 Provincial Search and Rescue teams deployed; Revelstoke, Golden, Arrow Lakes and Nelson.  The RCMP Police Service Avalanche trained canine units along side with other Provincial Emergency assets have been engaged.  Revelstoke RCMP continue to coordinate the rescue effort in conjunction with the Provincial Emergency Coordination Center."

The Boulder Mountain area has been closed off to assist with the rescue effort and we request that the general public keep the area and nearby highways clear for the ongoing rescue effort". 

| More...