Latest news with #IcefieldsParkway
Globe and Mail
5 hours ago
- Climate
- Globe and Mail
Second body recovered after Banff National Park rock slide, three people in stable condition
The death toll from Thursday's fatal rock slide in Banff National Park has climbed to two and the three people transported to hospital are in stable condition, authorities said Friday morning. The RCMP and Parks Canada, in a joint statement, said rescuers recovered one person's body Friday morning. Authorities are notifying next of kin, but provided no further details. The statement also confirmed that the individual recovered Thursday was a 70-year-old woman who lived in Calgary. The hikers were killed in a rock slide at Bow Glacier Falls, about 37 kilometres north of Lake Louise. The moderate hike is near Bow Lake, a popular spot on Canada's famed Icefields Parkway. 'At this time, there are no additional persons reported missing and no additional unidentified vehicles at the trailhead located at Bow Lake,' the update said. The three people transported to hospital Thursday afternoon are in 'stable' condition, according to Friday's update. The rock slide happened around 1 p.m. Thursday. Witnesses have shared video on social media showing part of the headwall crashing down and an enormous cloud of grey dust rising from the valley. Parks Canada visitor safety teams on Friday are working with a geotechnical engineer from Canada Task Force One out of Vancouver, members of Canada Task Force Two from Calgary, and the Calgary Police Service. Bow Glacier Falls remains closed to visitors, with a no-fly zone in place. Bow Lake and the trail to Bow Hut have reopened. Highway 93 North, known as the Icefields Parkway, is open with the potential for intermittent, short-term traffic delays in the area of Thursday's incident. Heavy precipitation, including snow, is hitting the Icefields Parkway Friday, according to the update.
CTV News
10 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
One dead, three injured in Banff National Park rockslide
One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. It happened around 1 p.m. on Thursday at Bow Glacier Falls. Parks Canada's Lake Louise Yoho Kootenay Field Unit said the location was 'approximately 37 km north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North).' Parks Canada and RCMP issued a joint statement on Thursday night. 'One person was located deceased at the scene. Two individuals were evacuated by STARS air ambulance and one by ground ambulance, and their conditions are unknown at this time,' the statement said. Deadly rockslide in Banff National Park, June 19, 2025 One person died and three others taken to hospital after a rockslide near the Bow Lake Glacier, a popular hiking spot in Banff National Park, on June 19, 2025. (Supplied) STARS air ambulance sent helicopters from Calgary and Edmonton. Thursday evening, STARS said its crews had returned to their respective bases after having transported people from the staging site at the rockslide. 'Each helicopter transported one patient to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary,' STARS said. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. STARS also could not provide the conditions of the patients. Alberta Health Services confirmed the involvement of EMS in the response but likewise could not provide additional information. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. Parks Canada and RCMP said they would search to confirm that no other hikers remain missing until dark and then resume at first light. They said anyone missing a loved one should contact Parks Canada's Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470. 'Parks Canada and RCMP are operating drone searches and dog handlers are assisting when and where it is safe to do so,' the statement said. 'Geotechnical assessments will take place when assessors arrive.' Parks Canada and RCMP said Alpine Club of Canada guests staying at Bow Hut are safe and will be able to exit on schedule. 'Bow Lake is closed to all visitors. A NOTAM (no-fly zone) is in place to ensure public safety and for park operations. Heavy precipitation, including snow, is expected on the Icefields Parkway. Please check the weather forecast and Alberta 511 before travelling,' the statement said. 'Banff National Park remains open and safe to visit. The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N) remains open with intermittent, short-term traffic stoppages in the vicinity of the incident.' One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. Dan Shugar, a geomorphologist and associate professor at the University of Calgary, said rockslides are common in terrain such as what's found in that area. 'Bow Glacier Falls is quite a popular hiking spot along the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper,' Shugar said. 'Anyone who's been to that area knows it's extremely steep—Bow Glacier Falls in particular. When you hike there, you do hear lots of rocks tumbling off the waterfalls. 'It appears a pretty large chunk of rock to hikers' right of the falls—maybe 100 or 200 metres to the right—is what collapsed.' But Shugar said it's not so common that rockslides result in injuries or fatalities. He said it's 'always a shock' when they do. 'I doubt there would have been anything to forecast such an event,' he said. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. Parks Canada and RCMP offered their condolences in their statement. 'Parks Canada and RCMP are deeply saddened by this tragic incident. Our hearts go out to the friends and families of all involved,' the statement said. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. Banff-Kananaskis MLA Sarah Elmeligi posted to social media on Thursday afternoon: 'I am just learning about this tragic event at Bow Falls in Banff National Park. My heart aches every time someone is hurt or worse in our beautiful mountains,' Elmeligi wrote. Edmonton Centre MP and federal cabinet minister Eleanor Olszewski posted, 'My heart is with everyone affected by the rockslide near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff. Grateful to Parks Canada, STARS air ambulance, and all first responders supporting the emergency response.' Premier Danielle Smith also posted: 'I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic event at Bow Glacier Falls, north of Banff, today,' Smith said. 'We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details. 'On behalf of Alberta's government, I also want to offer my most sincere gratitude to the emergency crews including search and rescue teams, and (STARS) for responding quickly.' I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic event at Bow Glacier Falls, north of Banff, today. We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details. On behalf of Alberta's government, I also want to offer my most sincere gratitude to… — Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) June 19, 2025 Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, posted, 'I am heartbroken to learn about the tragic rockslide at Bow Glacier Falls in Banff today. My deepest condolences to the families and friends of those lost or injured, and grateful for the swift response by (Parks Canada), RCMP, (STARS and) all emergency teams.' And MP and federal cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault also posted: 'I'm aware of the rock slide incident at Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park,' he wrote. 'Thank you to the (Parks Canada) visitor safety teams and first responders on the ground. 'My prayers are with everyone affected as we await further details.'
National Post
11 hours ago
- Climate
- National Post
One dead after rockslide near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park
NEAR BOW LAKE, Alta. — One hiker was killed and others injured after a rockslide Thursday afternoon near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park. Article content 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. Article content Article content '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. Article content '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.' Article content 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. Article content Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content Parks Canada's Lake Louise Yoho Kootenay Field Unit confirmed a serious rockfall incident occurred around 1 p.m. near Bow Glacier Falls. Article content '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. Article content 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. Article content One hiker who witnessed the rockfall didn't want to be interviewed, referring a Postmedia reporter instead to a message shared on social media. Article content '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.'
National Post
a day ago
- Climate
- National Post
Possible fatalities after rockslide strikes multiple hikers on trail in Banff National Park
Multiple hikers are injured or dead after a rockslide at Bow Falls Trail in Banff National Park. RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Gina Slaney confirmed Alberta Mounties were asked to assist in responding to the rockslide and are on location to support Parks Canada, STARS Air Ambulance, Lake Louise RCMP and other emergency responders. Article content Article content 'The initial report indicated there were multiple hikers and there may be serious injuries and/or fatalities,' Slaney said in a written statement. Article content Parks Canada's Lake Louise Yoho Kootenay Field Unit confirmed a serious rockfall incident occurred around 1 p.m. Thursday near Bow Glacier Falls, approximately 37 kilometres north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, also known as Highway 93N. Article content 'Parks Canada visitor safety teams from Banff and Jasper national parks are responding, with support from other agencies,' the unit stated, adding visitors are asked to avoid the area while crews respond. Article content STARS spokesperson Kate Langille said two of its helicopters — one from Calgary and one from Edmonton — were dispatched and were still at the scene as of 4 p.m. Article content 'More information will be available once they're back at the base,' she said. Article content Temporary highway closures are expected on the Icefields Parkway near Bow Lake to allow for responders to work. Article content Up-to-date information on road closures will be published on Alberta 511. Article content A number of elected officials, including Premier Danielle Smith and the federal minister responsible for Parks Canada, Steven Guilbeault, and Alberta's lieutenant governor have offered their thoughts and prayers upon hearing news of the rockslide. Article content Article content 'We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details,' said Smith in her post. 'I also want to offer my most sincere gratitude to the emergency crews including search and rescue teams, and STARS Air Ambulance for responding quickly.' Article content 'Thank you to the Parks Canada visitor safety teams and first responders on the ground,' Guilbeault wrote. 'My prayers are with everyone affected.' Article content I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic event at Bow Glacier Falls, north of Banff, today. We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details. On behalf of Alberta's government, I also want to offer my most sincere gratitude to… — Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) June 19, 2025
