ATLIN – On Sunday, the Atlin RCMP received a report of a 47-year-old Austrian heli-ski guide having fallen into a crevasse, while guiding a group of skiers, on the Swanson Glacier near Atlin, B.C.
The incident occurred when the group of four skiers accompanied by two guides, were beginning their day of skiing on the Swanson Glacier, approximately 65 kilometers southwest of Atlin, according to a news release.
Witnesses said that one of the guides had stopped to take a photograph, when the snow beneath him gave way and he plunged into a deep crevasse.
A company employee returned to the accident site after the other skiers were evacuated and was able to descend into the crevasse and confirmed the guide had suffered fatal injuries in the fall.
It was reported that the crevasse was only 1.5 m wide by 35 m deep with ice overhangs and would pose difficulties to safely effect a recovery of the dead man.
"Given the technical level of recovery that the situation posed, the Atlin Search and Rescue team coordinated the recovery effort with the Parks Canada Kluane National Park Ice Rescue Team. The Parks Canada ice rescue technicians were on route to the scene via helicopter, when developing poor weather conditions forced them to turn around. The recovery of the man’s body has been delayed by several days due to the current weather conditions and the expected long term forecast." stated Cpl Dan Moskaluk.
The deceased, 47 years of age is from Austria and is employed in Atlin during the winter months as a heli- ski guide. The process of Notification of Next of Kin has begun with the assistance of INTERPOL to complete this task.
The Atlin RCMP and BC Coroners Services are continuing their investigation into the man’s death.
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