File # 2010-832
2010-03-14 07:34 PDT

The rescue/recovery effort continues this am.  The RCMP has examined previously reported information and as of 7:00 a.m. 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.    

Avalanche Technicians with Parks Canada along with the BC Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel are flying over the slide site this morning to properly assess the safety levels for ground searchers to enter the location.  Local air assets of 3 helicopters from Alpine Helicopters and Selkirk Mtn Helicopters are assisting with the task today.  The RCMP Air Services Air 3 from the Southeast District is also assisting. 

Once the area is deemed safe, the 4 SAR Teams comprising of approximately 40-50 teams members will continue to conduct a search for recovery/rescue utilizing beacon signal search, probe and search dogs and will be assisted by 9 Parks Canada avalanche technicians/rescuers.  5 avalanche trained canine assets from the RCMP 1 , Parks Canada 1 and Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association 3(CARDA) will also be deployed. 

There is an air restriction area NOTAM for the Boulder Mountain area of radius of 5 kilometers.

Local and supporting RCMP units worked throughout the night conducting hotel and accommodation canvassing in order to determine the numbers of persons possibly still outstanding and unaccounted for, this remains to be completed today.

(*Local media*)

We do ask that anyone who was attending the event and who made there way safely off of the mountain, to attend the Revelstoke Community Center located at 600 Campbell Ave today, in addition to those who have equipment/property or machines still at the site.  The RCMP would like to compile this information in order to assist with accounting of still missing persons and to ease the eventual return of equipment.   

RCMP will conduct a media presser at the Revelstoke Community Center this morning 9 a.m. after which Cpl Moskaluk will continue to be available to return media calls received overnight.  We thank the media for their patience, concerted efforts have been made to ensure the most accurate and timely update info is provided this morning.  

    

Released by

Cpl. Dan Moskaluk
Senior Media Relations Officer
South East and North District
170 -395 Penno Road, Kelowna BC V1X-7W5
Office: (250) 863-7433
Cell: (250) 863-7433
Fax: (250) 491-2381
Email: dan.moskaluk@rcmp-grc.gc.ca