Avalanche in the Kootenays kills 3 men, critically injures another

Three men have died following an avalanche in the Kootenays on Monday.

According to the Kaslo RCMP, two groups were skiing in an alpine area on the east side of Kootenay Lake.

Police said the groups finished skiing around 1 pm and were waiting at a staging area to be picked up by a helicopter.

However, as the helicopter was approaching the pilot noticed an avalanche was starting and sounded his siren.

<who> Photo Credit: Avalanche Canada file picture

One group of skiers was able to get out of harm’s way.

Sadly, a group of four men were swept into the tree line and efforts to recover them were not successful.

A 44-year-old man from Whistler, a 45-year-old man from Idaho and the 53-year-old guide from Kaslo were all found dead.

A 40-year-old man from Nelson was critically injured, police said in a news release.

The BC Coroners Services has started its own investigation into the incident and the Kaslo RCMP say they will be assisting as needed.

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