Latest news with #STARSAirAmbulance
CBC
3 hours ago
- CBC
Search for victims resumes after massive rockfall near Bow Lake in Banff National Park
Rescuers in Alberta were set to resume their search for others who might be missing today after a massive rockfall that killed one and injured three in Banff National Park. Parks Canada visitor safety teams will continue working to assess the site with support from Canada Task Force Two (CAN-TF2 Calgary), a national disaster response team, officials said Friday in a release. "A Canada Task Force One … geotechnical engineer will conduct a slope stability assessment. The safety of first responders and park visitors is our top priority," the statement said. The task force team is also conducting infrared flights in the area with help from members of the Calgary Police Service. RCMP are still working to notify next of kin and no further information about the person who was killed is yet available, officials said. The rockfall was reported at about 1:30 p.m. on Thursday when Lake Louise RCMP were notified that "multiple hikers" were caught in a rockfall near Bow Glacier Falls. Parks Canada, the Lake Louise fire department, STARS Air Ambulance, the RCMP and EMS responded to the scene. According to STARS, two helicopters were dispatched — STAR-1 from Calgary and STAR-3 from Edmonton — and transported one patient each to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary. The conditions of those taken to hospital have not yet been shared. Bow Lake remains closed to all visitors and a no-fly zone remains in place to ensure public safety and for park operations, officials said. "Alpine Club of Canada guests staying at Bow Hut are safe. Visitors staying at Bow Hut will be able to exit on schedule via the usual route, which is unaffected and safe to travel," the release said. The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N) remains open with possible intermittent, short-term traffic stoppages in the vicinity of the incident. Bow Glacier Falls is located about three kilometres to the southwest of Bow Lake and is accessible via a popular hiking trail.
National Post
6 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.'
The Advertiser
11 hours ago
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Falling rocks hit hikers in Banff National Park, Canada
Falling rocks have killed one hiker and injured three others on a trail in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. Rescuers rushed to the park after receiving reports that a group of hikers had been struck by the rockslide. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Parks Canada later confirmed one died and three were injured near Bow Glacier Falls. The site is north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, about 200 kilometres northwest of Calgary. It is also about 137 kilometres from the site of the Group of Seven summit held in Kananaskis, Alberta, this week. STARS Air Ambulance spokeswoman Kate Langille earlier said two of its units were deployed around 2 pm. Parks Canada has asked visitors to avoid the area. The Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail is a 9-kilometre route running along the edges of Bow Lake. It's considered a moderate challenge for hikers and day-trippers include families. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she was deeply saddened. "We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details," she said in a post on social media. Falling rocks have killed one hiker and injured three others on a trail in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. Rescuers rushed to the park after receiving reports that a group of hikers had been struck by the rockslide. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Parks Canada later confirmed one died and three were injured near Bow Glacier Falls. The site is north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, about 200 kilometres northwest of Calgary. It is also about 137 kilometres from the site of the Group of Seven summit held in Kananaskis, Alberta, this week. STARS Air Ambulance spokeswoman Kate Langille earlier said two of its units were deployed around 2 pm. Parks Canada has asked visitors to avoid the area. The Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail is a 9-kilometre route running along the edges of Bow Lake. It's considered a moderate challenge for hikers and day-trippers include families. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she was deeply saddened. "We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details," she said in a post on social media. Falling rocks have killed one hiker and injured three others on a trail in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. Rescuers rushed to the park after receiving reports that a group of hikers had been struck by the rockslide. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Parks Canada later confirmed one died and three were injured near Bow Glacier Falls. The site is north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, about 200 kilometres northwest of Calgary. It is also about 137 kilometres from the site of the Group of Seven summit held in Kananaskis, Alberta, this week. STARS Air Ambulance spokeswoman Kate Langille earlier said two of its units were deployed around 2 pm. Parks Canada has asked visitors to avoid the area. The Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail is a 9-kilometre route running along the edges of Bow Lake. It's considered a moderate challenge for hikers and day-trippers include families. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she was deeply saddened. "We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details," she said in a post on social media. Falling rocks have killed one hiker and injured three others on a trail in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. Rescuers rushed to the park after receiving reports that a group of hikers had been struck by the rockslide. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Parks Canada later confirmed one died and three were injured near Bow Glacier Falls. The site is north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, about 200 kilometres northwest of Calgary. It is also about 137 kilometres from the site of the Group of Seven summit held in Kananaskis, Alberta, this week. STARS Air Ambulance spokeswoman Kate Langille earlier said two of its units were deployed around 2 pm. Parks Canada has asked visitors to avoid the area. The Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail is a 9-kilometre route running along the edges of Bow Lake. It's considered a moderate challenge for hikers and day-trippers include families. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she was deeply saddened. "We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details," she said in a post on social media.
Perth Now
13 hours ago
- Climate
- Perth Now
Falling rocks hit hikers in Banff National Park, Canada
Falling rocks have killed one hiker and injured three others on a trail in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. Rescuers rushed to the park after receiving reports that a group of hikers had been struck by the rockslide. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Parks Canada later confirmed one died and three were injured near Bow Glacier Falls. The site is north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, about 200 kilometres northwest of Calgary. It is also about 137 kilometres from the site of the Group of Seven summit held in Kananaskis, Alberta, this week. STARS Air Ambulance spokeswoman Kate Langille earlier said two of its units were deployed around 2 pm. Parks Canada has asked visitors to avoid the area. The Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail is a 9-kilometre route running along the edges of Bow Lake. It's considered a moderate challenge for hikers and day-trippers include families. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she was deeply saddened. "We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details," she said in a post on social media.
The Independent
18 hours ago
- The Independent
Canadian rescuers rush to a remote part of Banff park following reports that a rock slide hit hikers
Rescue crews, police and paramedics rushed to the remote Canadian Rocky Mountain region of Banff National Park late Thursday after receiving reports that a group of hikers were hit by a rock slide, causing possible injuries and deaths. 'The initial report indicated there were multiple hikers and there may be serious injuries and/or fatalities,' Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cpl. Gina Slaney said in a news release. Parks Canada said in a statement that it is responding to a report of 'a serious rockfall incident with involvement near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park.' The site is north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, about 200 kilometers (124 miles) northwest of Calgary. It is also about 137 kms (85 miles) away from where leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump met at the Group of Seven Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta this week. Temporary road closures were expected on the Icefields Parkway near Bow Lake in order to allow responders to work. Parks Canada has asked visitors to avoid the area. STARS Air Ambulance spokeswoman Kate Langille said two of its units were deployed around 2 p.m. She said the organization would have more to say after crews returned to their bases in Edmonton and Calgary. The Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail is a 9-kilometer (six mile) route open year-round, running along the edges of Bow Lake. It's considered a moderate challenge for hikers and day-trippers include families.
