UPDATE: Nelson police officers caught in fatal avalanche identified

(UPDATE: Jan. 10 @ 1 pm) - The Nelson Police Department (NPD) has identified two of its own who were caught in a fatal avalanche near Kaslo on Monday.

Cst. Wade Tittemore, 43, was killed when the avalanche rolled over him and Cst. Mathieu Nolet, 28, who remains in critical condition in hospital.

Tittemore had been with the force for four years after moving to the Kootenays from Calgary, where he spent 11 years with the Calgary Police Service.

He was an avid backcountry enthusiast who loved skiing, hiking and backpacking.

Nelson Police Chief Donovan Fisher said that Nolet has internal injuries and broken ribs, and is currently at Trail’s Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital.

In the wake of Monday's shocking accident, the RCMP will be covering shifts for the NPD and other departments from around the province have also offered to help.

“Nelson is one of the smallest municipal police forces in Canada, and we are like one big family," said Fisher. "The impact of the death of Cst. Tittemore has a profound effect on the force and our community.”

The Kalso RCMP has now confirmed that the first report of the avalanche near Groat Range Provincial Park came in at 12:23 pm.

Nolet was rescued and provided first aid by bystanders, who were thanked for their quick action earlier today by Kaslo Search and Rescue (KSAR).

He was evacuated by a long-line helicopter and airlifted to hospital.

Tittemore was located later and efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth released a statement on the incident late this morning and said that hearts of people all over BC go out to Tittemore's family, friends and colleagues.

"On behalf of all British Columbians, we send our deepest condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy," he said. "Our thoughts are also with the officer who was critically injured, and we wish them well as they begin to recover."

Farnworth added: "We want to thank the agencies and first responders who have helped with the rescue operation. As always, they stepped up quickly to help, and we thank them for their efforts."

He noted that the provincial government is here to support the NPD and City of Nelson during this difficult time.

_{With files from the Canadian Press.}

(UPDATE: Jan. 10 @ 11 am) - Kaslo Search and Resche (KSAR) has released more information on Monday's fatal avalanche that killed a Nelson police officer and critically injured another.

The organization was tasked out by the RCMP to respond to the avalanche event near the Empire Cabin west of Buchanan Mountain.

KSAR said the two victims had snowmobiled to the cabin, as was stated by initial information from the City of Nelson late Monday night, but were backcountry skiing at the time of the avalanche.

Initial evaluations by KSAR led the team to believe that there were going to be access issues to the victims in high-risk avalanche terrain, so winter response specialists and avalanche technicians were immediately mobilized.

They completed a risk assessment of the terrain by helicopter before determining it was safe to land at the scene, so a second chopper was deployed with the regional long line team and a trauma physician who is a member of Nelson Search and Rescue (NSAR).

"The rapidly evolving situation was aided by a member of the public who had cell phone service on the mountain. The level of seriousness was increasing throughout the operation as we continued to receive updates," explained a KSAR release.

"Complicating the operation was the restriction of helicopters being unable to fly past daylight hours. A ground team was also sent to be able to evacuate all members from the mountain if necessary."

Thanks to the assistance of Stellar Heli Skiing, NSAR and the regional long line team, KSAR was able to extract the injured victim and airlift them to hospital in critical condition.

Unfortunately, the second victim was found later and efforts to save their life were unsuccessful.

"We would like to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and Nelson City Police," said KSAR. "Our hearts go out to them at this difficult time."

KSAR also expressed thanks to five members of the public who were on scene and "instrumental" in aiding the two victims, all the while keeping KSAR updated on the evolving situation.

"We would like to remind the public recreating in backcountry areas means severe weather and avalanches are real hazards," finished the KSAR statement.

"You and everyone in your group must be self-sufficient—carrying all the proper gear (transceiver, shovel, and probe) and have avalanche training."

KSAR suggested checking AdventureSmart as a "great resource" to help get informed before heading outdoors. The organization also urged people to remember the three Ts, which are trip planning, training and taking the essentials.

(Original story: Jan. 10 @ 6:20 am) - An avalanche in the Kootenays has claimed the life of a Nelson police officer and critically injured another.

The City of Nelson released a statement last Monday night that said the pair were snowmobiling near Kaslo when the tragic incident happened.

No further details are available at this time, but the City noted that more information will be released in the coming days.

“The Nelson Police Board, the City of Nelson, and the Nelson Police Department offer their condolences and support to the families at this time,” said the City’s statement.

According to Avalanche Canada, the area around Nelson and Kaslo, which are around 70 kilometres apart, is currently rated a three on its five-point scale.

That indicates a “considerable avalanche risk.”

I’m incredibly saddened to hear about the death of a police officer near Kaslo, British Columbia yesterday. To their family and friends, Canadians are with you. And to the officer who was injured, we’re wishing you a fast and full recovery.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 10, 2023

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted about the officers this morning, saying he was saddened to hear about the officer's death.

"To their family and friends, Canadians are with you," the prime minister wrote. "And to the officer who was injured, we're wishing you a fast and full recovery."

Trudeau's youngest brother, Michel, was just 23 when he died in a BC avalanche in 1998.

NowMedia will update this story as more information becomes available.