Avalanche kills snowmobiler near Smithers, B.C.
Last Updated: Sunday, February 6, 2011 | 1:23 PM PT
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A man in his 20s is dead after getting caught in an avalanche near Smithers, B.C.
The man was snowmobiling with friends on a popular trail known as The Microwave, in an area about 20 kilometres south of Smithers, when he was hit by the slide at around 2 p.m. local time Saturday.
Barry Finnegan with Bulkley Valley Search and Rescue said it appeared the victim was taking pictures when the slide was triggered by another snowmobiler.
"The slope released and caught the individual, who was filming or taking pictures down below, and he was buried by the slide," Finnegan said.
"The second individual managed to self-rescue and dug out the buried individual in about 10 minutes but, unfortunately, the buried snowmobiler did not survive."
The victim's name has not been released.
Finnegan said there is still a risk of an avalanche in the area, so crews have been unable to retrieve the body. Search and rescue crews are expected to try again on Monday.
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