One dead after rockslide near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park
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A joint statement from RCMP and Parks Canada at 9:15 p.m. confirmed that one person was located deceased at the scene, near Bow Glacier Falls, approximately 37 kilometres north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, also known as Highway 93N. Two individuals were evacuated by STARS Air Ambulance and one by ground ambulance, and their conditions were unknown at time of writing.
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'Search will continue tomorrow (Friday) to confirm that no other hikers remain missing,' the statement read, adding that those missing loved ones can contact Parks Canada's Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470.
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'Parks Canada and RCMP extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. Parks Canada visitor safety teams will continue search and recovery operations until dark and will resume at first light.'
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The statement went on to say Parks Canada and RCMP are operating drone searches and dog handlers are assisting when and where it is safe to do so. Geotechnical assessments will take place when assessors arrive, it added.
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Alpine Club of Canada guests staying at Bow Hut are safe and visitors staying at Bow Hut will be able to exit on schedule via the usual route, which is unaffected and safe to travel.
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With heavy precipitation in the forecast, Bow Lake is closed to all visitors and a no-fly zone has been put in place to ensure public safety and for park operations. Heavy precipitation including snow is expected on the Icefields Parkway.
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Parks Canada's Lake Louise Yoho Kootenay Field Unit confirmed a serious rockfall incident occurred around 1 p.m. near Bow Glacier Falls.
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'Parks Canada visitor safety teams from Banff and Jasper national parks are responding, with support from other agencies,' the unit said, adding visitors are asked to avoid the area while crews tend to the emergency situation.
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Near the rockslide location, about 225 kilometres northwest of Calgary, a fish and wildlife truck was seen cruising away from the scene while a helicopter landed at the Lodge at Bow Lake. The aircraft left around 8:45 p.m. with a side-basket, while an ambulance was also observed emerging from the scene.
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One hiker who witnessed the rockfall didn't want to be interviewed, referring a Postmedia reporter instead to a message shared on social media.
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'Heard it while walking around the lake, looked up and just saw the dust cloud behind the treeline,' the hiker said on Reddit. 'Driving back home we saw about six ambulances and numerous other Parks Canada/emergency vehicles.'
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