Alberta woman dies in Kootenay National Park
By Castlegar Source
A trip to the Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park ended in tragedy for an Alberta couple, on Sunday, after a woman fell into the water and sadly couldn’t be saved by onlookers.
On Aug.16, shortly after 6 p.m. (MT) Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of a fatal water incident, and a water rescue underway at Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park. Police have been told that a woman was being photographed when she suddenly lost her footing, slipped and was swept away by the current of the river. An associate of the woman attempted to rescue her, he was also swept away.
Bystanders, including a medical professional, pulled the woman from the water approximately 1 km downstream, and attempted life saving measures. Despite their best efforts the 34-year-old Calgary woman was pronounced deceased at the scene, said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey a spokesperson for the BC RCMP Southeast District.
The 29-year-old Calgary man who attempted to save the woman was eventually pulled from the canyon by Parks Canada Visitor Safety crews executing a high angle rope rescue. He was then airlifted by STARS air ambulance from Alberta to a hospital in Calgary for treatment of injuries believed to be non-life threatening in nature.
The BC Coroners Service was notified, attended the scene and has launched a concurrent fact finding investigation into the circumstances surrounding the woman’s sudden death.
The tragic event was witnessed by a number of people who were in the area at the time. All those individuals are now being supported by Columbia Valley RCMP Victim Services.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, and has not yet spoken with police or is in need of emotional support is encouraged to contact the Columbia Valley RCMP at 250-342-9292.
