Close X
Saturday, October 12, 2024
ADVT 
National

Man Dug Out Of Avalanche On Cypress Mountain In West Vancouver

The Canadian Press, 06 Mar, 2017 12:45 PM
    VANCOUVER — Rescue officials in British Columbia say skiers rescued from an avalanche in Cypress Provincial Park could have died had they not been carrying proper gear.
     
    North Shore Rescue spokesman Mike Banks said the men were in the backcountry on the north side of Hollyburn Mountain when one of the skiers triggered an avalanche.
     
    "It's certainly something you don't see every day, especially on the North Shore," Banks said.
     
    The skier was swept down approximately 120 metres over a cliff and was buried in the Tony Baker Gully.
     
    Banks said the second skier found his partner using a beacon and probe, and then dug through nearly two metres of snow to reach his face so he could breathe.
     
    A group of other skiers in the area spotted the man digging and helped dig out the rest of the victim's body and covered him in jackets to keep warm.
     
    Someone within the group then called for help.
     
    North Shore Rescue sent crews to locate the pair and provide medical care at the scene until they could be airlifted out.
     
    "I can't emphasize enough how lucky this individual was," Banks said.
     
    The skier had multiple injuries from the slide, prompting rescue crews decided to fly him closer to hospital rather than waiting to transfer him to an ambulance.
     
     
    North Shore Rescue says the man is now in hospital in serious condition.
     
    They say he would have died had the pair not been trained to respond to an avalanche and carry the necessary equipment.
     
    The second victim was seen walking around after the rescue.
     
    Banks said anyone going skiing the rest of the weekend should avoid the backcountry, and if they do head out in those areas, to carry appropriate equipment and be cautious in their decision-making.
     
    Avalanche Canada had issued warnings for the alpine and treeline areas of South Coast mountains, including Cypress, this weekend.
     
    The organization said naturally-occurring avalanches were possible, while human-triggered events were likely.
     
    The organization also reported an avalanche on the backside of the mountain on Friday, saying the snow conditions were heavy and wind-affected.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Body Of Woman, Car Recovered From Lake Ontario In Toronto

    Body Of Woman, Car Recovered From Lake Ontario In Toronto
    Toronto police pulled a woman's body and a car from Lake Ontario on Friday after the vehicle veered across traffic and hit a guardrail before plunging into the water.

    Body Of Woman, Car Recovered From Lake Ontario In Toronto

    Local Investors Outnumber Foreign Buyers In Toronto's New Condo Market

    Local Investors Outnumber Foreign Buyers In Toronto's New Condo Market
    TORONTO — Concerns about foreign investors snapping up real estate have dominated headlines recently, but a new report suggests domestic investors outnumber foreign buyers in the Greater Toronto Area's new condo market ten-to-one.

    Local Investors Outnumber Foreign Buyers In Toronto's New Condo Market

    Quebec Government Unveils Plan To Fight And Prevent Sexual Assault

    MONTREAL — The Quebec government has released its long-awaited plan to fight and prevent sexual violence.

    Quebec Government Unveils Plan To Fight And Prevent Sexual Assault

    Alberta Government Explores Setting Up Safe Sites To Reduce Fentanyl Overdoses

    Alberta Government Explores Setting Up Safe Sites To Reduce Fentanyl Overdoses
    EDMONTON — The Alberta government is taking the war on fentanyl abuse to the next level by exploring a plan to set up safe, supervised sites for opioid use.

    Alberta Government Explores Setting Up Safe Sites To Reduce Fentanyl Overdoses

    Another Indigenous Girl Commits Suicide On Northern Saskatchewan Reserve

    Another Indigenous Girl Commits Suicide On Northern Saskatchewan Reserve
    Another indigenous girl has committed suicide in northern Saskatchewan — the fifth this month.

    Another Indigenous Girl Commits Suicide On Northern Saskatchewan Reserve

    Ottawa runs $2.7B deficit in August compared with $2.3B deficit in August 2015

    Ottawa runs $2.7B deficit in August compared with $2.3B deficit in August 2015
    OTTAWA — The federal government ran a deficit of $2.7 billion in August compared with a deficit of $2.3 billion in the same month last year.

    Ottawa runs $2.7B deficit in August compared with $2.3B deficit in August 2015