2 snowmobilers dead in avalanche

UPDATED:

REVELSTOKE, British Columbia — An avalanche struck an informal snowmobile rally in Canada’s Rocky Mountains, killing at least two people and leaving an unknown number missing at an annual gathering best known for its party atmosphere and stunt riding.

Rescuers sent helicopters over remote Boulder Mountain at daybreak Sunday to determine if conditions were safe for a full-scale ground search after operations were halted overnight when darkness fell.

Police also conducted a door-to-door search of hotel rooms Sunday to piece together how many people were missing from the Big Iron Shoot Out rally, which drew about 200 people to the mountain.

Revelstoke Mayor David Raven said an avalanche warning had been in place for three weeks.

“A fresh snowfall overnight exacerbated that warning. I know people have been cautioned again and again,” Mr. Raven told CTV Newsnet.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cpl. Dan Moskaluk told a news conference Sunday morning that two people are confirmed dead in the avalanche, not three as previously reported in the chaotic hours after the slide.

Cpl. Moskaluk said 30 people were injured, including one person in critical condition and three others in serious condition. He said 19 people were treated at and released from the local hospital.

About 200 people were on the mountain when the slide struck around 3:30 p.m. local time Saturday, but many of them survived and got off the mountain safely. The Big Iron Shoot Out is an annual unsanctioned but increasingly popular informal gathering of people who enjoy snowmobiling in the deep snow of back-country British Columbia.

Cpl. Moskaluk said there could be some people still buried on the mountain, but it is not known how many.

“I don’t think we want to ever give up hope. Certainly there is faint hope at this time. However, being realistic, we are referring to this as a recovery-rescue operation,” he said.

Kathy Berlingette, owner of the Smokey Bear Campground Resort in the area, said the event was in a remote place and everyone involved had to drive their snowmobiles out to get there.

She said the slide occurred in a place called Turbo Bowl, at the foot of the mountain, and a group of people, including parents with children, had gathered to watch the snowmobiles go up the hill when the avalanche broke through.

“One fellow that I was talking to said that it resembled a war zone,” Ms. Berlingette said.

Ms. Berlingette said she had five guests who came to town for the rally, and all survived the avalanche.

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