A rescue mission by Shuswap Search and Rescue ended sadly on Sunday when an avalanche buried someone snowmobiling in the Crowfoot Mountain area.
John Schut, search manager with Shuswap Search and Rescue, said they got the call at about 11:45 a.m. Sunday morning that a snowmobiler was caught up in an avalanche.
He said they immediately got in contact with the rescue team and sent them out to the area.
A helicopter was sent out, along with an avalanche technician from Golden, who flew over to the site and assessed the area for safety.
The snowmobiler was found dead just before 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
Their helicopter tech team skied in and retrieved the body under direction of the BC Coroners Service.
Overall, Schut said it’s the type of situation they warn people about.
“We really urge the public caution,” said Schut. “The avalanche conditions are really bad in certain pockets.”
He said skiers and snowmobilers should always be sure to look at the avalanche conditions on the Avalanche Canada website before heading out, although sometimes conditions might be more dangerous than you think.
“It’s very obvious that that avalanche danger is very high now,” he said.
BC Coroners are expected to release information on the identity on the snowmobiler soon.
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