RCMP releases names of avalanche victims
By Castlegar Source
The RCMP has confirmed the identity of the two people who were buried and killed in an avalanche near Nelson March 21: Katie Aring, a 32-year-old Salt Lake City woman and Ryan Keene, a 31-year-old man from London, England.
The RCMP has completed next of kin notifications with the families.
At around 10 a.m. on March 21, the Nelson Rural area RCMP were notified of the avalanche that involved a group of commercially-guided heli-skiers, skiing near Blewett, B.C. The heli-ski operator had several other guides tending to other groups on nearby slopes who witnessed the slide and who immediately responded, rescued and removed the group of four skiers and one guide. Upon notification, the RCMP immediately activated Nelson SAR, however SAR personnel were not involved in the rescue, as it unfolded as they prepared to attend.
The investigation to date has revealed that the group of skiers had just completed a run and were preparing to be retrieved by the helicopter at a landing area with ski gear removed. The skiers observed a slide trigger from a ridge top above them as the guide instructed all to run, however they were unable to evade it’s path. As a result, one of the five was not buried and called for help via radio to report the incident. The one individual who was not buried was then joined by the other guides and skiers who had witnessed the slide and assisted within minutes to help with the rescue and recovery. All were flown off of the mountain to rendez-vous with BC Ambulances Services.
The RCMP would like to acknowledge and thank all those who immediately assisted in the rescue recovery operation. The Nelson Rural RCMP is continuing to assist with the investigation and is providing support to the affected families.
