Snowmobiler Killed by Avalanche in Eureka Peak Area of British Columbia

A 37-year-old snowmobiler was killed in an avalanche Monday afternoon in the Eureka Peak snowmobile area in the Southern Cariboo, BC.

South Cariboo Search and Rescue was called to the area west of Wells Gray Park and east of Williams Lake in north-central British Columbia at about 4 pm.

“A 37-year-old man was with a group of snowmobilers when the avalanche happened and sadly, the man was buried in the snow.”

– RCMP Corporal Madonna Saunderson

The victim was with a group of people at the time, but nobody else was involved.

• Related: Head On A Swivel – Snowmobile Avalanche Awareness

Search teams flew in on a helicopter but were unable to land because of treacherous conditions. Crews returned to the scene yesterday morning to recover the body.

After the incident, the public was asked to stay away from Eureka Peak, with Williams Lake RCMP saying avalanche control work may go on. The risk was “considerable” yesterday in the alpine of the Cariboo ranges.

The fatality is the 9th avalanche death in Canada this season and the 45th in North America.