Three people are dead, including a 44-year-old Whistler man, and a fourth critically injured after an avalanche in B.C.'s Interior, according to police.
In a release on Tuesday, March 25, police said the avalanche occurred in the alpine area on the east side of Kootenay Lake just before 1 p.m. on March 24.
According to the release, "two groups of skiers had just finished skiing the bowl and were waiting in a staging area below the treeline of Clute Creek water shed. A transport helicopter was nearing the group when the pilot observed an avalanche and sounded the siren."
One group of skiers was able to get out of harm's way, while the other group of four was swept away into the treeline, the release said.
"Efforts to recover the men were initiated," it said. "Sadly, three were located deceased; a 44-year-old man from Whistler, B.C., a 45-year-old man from Idaho, U.S.A., and the 53-year-old guide from Kaslo, B.C. The fourth man, 40 years old from Nelson, B.C., was critically injured."
Kaslo RCMP will continue to assist the BC Coroners Service in the investigation, the release said.
Check back with Pique for more as this story develops...
