A 52-year-old man from Nanaimo is dead after a snowmobiling accident on Saturday.
At around 3:15 p.m. in the afternoon on Feb.10, 2018. Whistler RCMP received a report of a snowmobiler who had fallen near the Callaghan Lake Provincial Park area.
Whistler Search and Rescue (SAR) were activated and attended by a doctor via helicopter. When they arrived, it was determined that the snowmobiler had stopped on a cornice which subsequently collapsed.
The man then fell approximately 76 metres (250 feet) onto the slope and was partially buried. Other snowmobilers in the area dug the man out and began CPR. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of death has not been confirmed, however, it does not appear suspicious.
Officers are working with the BC Coroners Service with this investigation.
Whistler RCMP and SAR want to remind people who are recreating in the backcountry use caution particularly around cornices.
Avalanche Canada had advertised that the hazard in the alpine was deemed to be “moderate” at the time but had recommended people give cornices
an extra wide berth.
No further details are available at this time.
Stacy Ross
