Latest news with #rockfall
The Guardian
11 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Two hikers killed by major rockfall on popular trail in Canada
Two people have been killed and another three injured when a major rockfall crashed onto a group of hikers on a popular Rocky Mountain trail in western Canada. The accident happened on Thursday near the Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park, about 225km (140 miles) north-west of Calgary, Alberta. The area is known for its natural beauty and is particularly busy in summer. The first victim was a 70-year-old woman from Calgary. In a joint statement, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Parks Canada said a second body had been recovered early on Friday. No more people have been reported missing. Local resident Niclas Brundell, who was hiking on the trail, estimated that about 15 to 20 people were standing to the right of the falls when he and his wife noticed small rocks tumbling down. Alarmed, the two of them ran from the area. 'I turned round and saw basically a whole shelf of a mountain come loose,' he told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. 'We just kept sprinting and I couldn't see the people behind us anymore because they were all in that cloud of rock.' Andy Dragt, an organizer for a local hiking club, told the Globe and Mail newspaper that one of its members had been killed in the rockfall. Around 10 club members had been present, he said, declining to identify the dead person.
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.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
One dead, three hurt after rockfall hits hiking group at Banff National Park
LAKE LOUISE — A rockfall at a popular hiking trail in Banff National Park killed one person and sent three to hospital Thursday, as rescue crews searched for others who might be missing. Videos posted to social media of the rock slide at Bow Glacier Falls reportedly show massive rocks crashing down a mountainside, kicking up massive clouds of grey dust as people clambered to safety. 'RCMP have confirmed that one person was located deceased at the scene,' Alberta RCMP and Parks Canada said in a joint statement late Thursday. '(The) search will continue tomorrow to confirm that no other hikers remain missing.' Drones and dogs were helping with the search, and geotechnical tests would be done when assessors could get to the site, they said. Bow Lake was closed to visitors, and a no-fly zone was put in place. Anyone missing a loved one was asked to call Parks Canada. STARS air ambulance said two of the injured were airlifted to hospital in Calgary. A third person was taken by ground ambulance. Their conditions were not known. The falls are part of the Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail, a nine-kilometre route open year-round, running along the edges of Bow Lake. It's located about 200 kilometres west of Calgary, north of Lake Louise. It is considered a moderate challenge for hikers and is used by tourists and day-trippers, including families. Niclas Brundell of Canmore was hiking in the area with his wife and said the slide happened a little after noon. Brundell, who said he was unable to immediately speak with The Canadian Press, told CBC that they heard rumbles and small rocks falling, prompting them to start leaving. There were other hikers in the area, he said. 'People kept taking selfies and stuff, and both of us were taking it as a warning sign to at least keep further away from the mountainsides," he told CBC. "All of a sudden, we heard this much louder noise, and I turned around and I see, basically, a whole shelf of a mountain come loose, like something I've never seen before. "(It) almost looked like a slab avalanche but made of rock.' He said there were at least 20 people in the area under the rockfall and, as it crashed down, it sent up the massive rolling dust cloud. 'The scariest part was that whole group underneath the waterfall just kind of disappeared into that cloud formation,' he said. 'My wife thought the whole mountainside was coming loose." They weren't sure they could outrun the cloud, he said. 'I was just yelling at (my wife) to like, 'Go, go, go! We need to run!' And luckily, we got out.' Evidence of the rockfall was visible from across the lake. The side of the mountain near a waterfall was darkened and worn, except for a large patch that was significantly lighter, where a heap of debris lay below. Low-flying helicopters were seen scanning the area late Thursday, making several trips between the rockfall site and the Lodge at Bow Lake. The parking lot to enter the lodge was closed to the public and media, and several ambulances were parked near the hotel. On social media, 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. "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 air ambulance for responding quickly." Federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski, also in a social media post, said: "My heart is with everyone affected by the rock slide near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff." "Grateful to Parks Canada, STARS air ambulance and all first responders supporting the emergency response." RCMP and Parks Canada said snow was expected on Friday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2025. — With files from Aaron Sousa in Edmonton Matthew Scace, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
In the news today: Search to continue for hikers after Banff rockfall
Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed... Search to continue for hikers after Banff rockfall Rescuers in Alberta are set to resume their search today for anyone else caught up in a massive rockfall that killed one and injured three in a remote section of Banff National Park. Video posted online reportedly shows a large shelf of stone crashing down a mountainside at Bow Glacier Falls, about 200 kilometres northwest of Calgary. The slide kicked up a towering cloud of grey dust that had other hikers rushing to safety. Officials have said one person was found dead at the scene, two people were airlifted to hospital in Calgary and a third was taken by ground ambulance. Officials say those who haven't been able to account for loved ones are to contact Parks Canada. Here's what else we're watching... More evacuations to lift in northwestern Manitoba Thousands more wildfire evacuees in Manitoba will start making the trek home in the coming days as officials in two northwestern communities lift their evacuation orders. The roughly 600 residents of the town of Lynn Lake will be allowed to return to the community 775 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg starting at 8 a.m. Friday. In a social media post, the town said buses would be arranged for those who need help with transportation. Further south, residents of the city of Flin Flon could start coming home by the middle of next week as officials prepare to lift their mandatory evacuation order. Deputy Mayor Alison Dallas-Funk, in a social media post Thursday, said the order is expected to be lifted at 9 a.m. on June 25, about one month after the city's 5,100 residents were forced out by a massive wildfire that began days earlier in nearby Creighton, Sask. She said most critical services and businesses, including power and gas, would be ready to go by Sunday. Barring further fire activity, she said council would meet Monday to officially rescind the order. MPs voting on major projects bill today Prime Minister Mark Carney's major projects and internal trade bill will be voted on today before the House of Commons rises until September. A closure motion the government passed to limit debate says the House won't adjourn today until debate wraps up on Bill C-5 and it clears the chamber. The Liberal government's controversial legislation, which would let cabinet quickly grant federal approvals for big industrial projects like mines, ports and pipelines, sailed through committee in the early hours of Thursday with support from the Conservatives. Indigenous and environmental groups and some opposition MPs and senators have criticized the government for rushing a bill through Parliament that gives cabinet such sweeping powers. The legislation was amended Thursday to withdraw the power it gave cabinet to sidestep the Indian Act after weeks of criticism from First Nations leaders. Mike Pemberton to be next Yukon premier Mike Pemberton has been named the new leader of the Yukon Liberal Party and will be the territory's 11th premier. A local businessman and longtime party insider, Pemberton won the leadership race by 13 votes over former Kwanlin Dun First Nations Chief Doris Bill. He will replace outgoing Premier Ranj Pillai who announced earlier this year that he would not be seeking re-election and would step down after his successor was chosen. The party says 873 ballots were cast at the leadership convention in Whitehorse, with Pemberton getting 442 votes, 429 people voting for Bill, and two ballots being spoiled. The next territorial election must be held on or before Nov. 3. The Liberals hold a minority government in Yukon with eight of the 19 available seats in the legislature. Anand pledges 'action', reform in foreign affairs Faced with escalating conflict in the Middle East, a collapsing global trade system and a department struggling to reform itself, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says she relishes the job of helping Canada navigate a turbulent world. In a wide-ranging interview Thursday with The Canadian Press, Anand said her experiences in both politics and academia can help her streamline Canada's approach to global issues, allowing it to pursue its interests without losing sight of its values. "How do you ensure, when you have these large departments, that you're actually able to execute? That is the heart of government. It's the hardest thing to do," Anand said. "I enjoy difficult responsibilities." She cited her time as defence minister, when she pushed the Canadian Armed Forces to address sexual misconduct and organized donations of military supplies to Ukraine's front line. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025. The Canadian Press
CBS News
6 days ago
- CBS News
Rockfall damage repaired, popular Colorado high country road re-opened
Camp Bird Road, a popular access for backcountry recreation southwest of Ouray, re-opened Wednesday after considerable rockfall damage was repaired. Ouray County authorities declared a disaster emergency in late January. At that time, large boulders above the road dislodged above a drainage near Senator Gulch and wiped much of the road and retaining wall supporting it. A worker uses drilling equipment to set explosives above Camp Bird Road in April. Ouray County Road and Bridge/Facebook Work to the mostly single-lane cliffside trail, formally known as Ouray County 361, began in earnest in April. According to the Ouray County Road and Bridge Department, that process started with reducing the element of surprise. Geologists recommended bringing down more rocks above the road which threatened the safety of people using it. Five hundred pounds of explosives were used to move an estimated 8,000 tons of additional material. The process further damaged the retaining wall, a fenced design called a hilfiker wall. Camp Bird Road, further damaged by rockfall following mitigation efforts to bring down precarious rock in May. our Once debris was cleared, a Norwood-based company, EarthTech West, initiated the rebuilding process. Workers from Ouray County Road and Bridge and EarthTech West work to re-establish a hilfiker retaining wall and new roadway on Camp Bird Road. our Ouray County Road and Bridge/Facebook The road was re-opened to foot and bicycle traffic during non-working hours on June 1. Camp Bird Road re-opened June 11 following a months-long repair effort. Ouray County Road and Bridge/Facebook Camp Bird Road connects to one of the state's premier four-wheel-drive adventures, Imogene Pass Road. The drive climbs to over 13,000 feet in elevation between Ouray and Telluride. Though the turn-off intersection is now accessible with the just-finished repairs, the high pass itself is not yet open. Bulldozers are currently trying to plow snow from the Ouray County side and are approaching the summit. However, once that path is cleared, vehicles will not be able to descend into Telluride. Rockfall, too, recently closed the lower portion of the Imogene Pass trail out of Telluride. That road, County Road K68/Forest Service 869 (informally known as Tomboy Road), has been closed since a section near Royer Gulch was washed out during a storm in August 2024. San Miguel County has accepted bids on the project and is aiming for a possible re-opening in September -- in time for the annual Imogene Pass Run footrace after Labor Day. Both closures posed serious problems for first responders heading into the summer recreation season. Camp Bird Road leads to exceptional hikes in Yankee Boy Basin, namely 14,157-foot Mt. Sneffels and several 13,000-foot peaks surrounding it. Without vehicle access to the area, any emergencies calls for search and rescue would likely require helicopters. That situation is now resolved, although any search and rescue help from the Telluride/San Miguel side is still limited by the Tomboy Road closure. A section of Tomboy Road above Telluride was washed out in August 2024. It has been closed to vehicular traffic since that storm. San Miguel County Government/Facebook The road to the Camp Bird Mine and the town of Gothic was built in 1879, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The mine and road were named after "the thieving Canada jays that were known to pilfered miners' lunches." The mine's gold lode was discovered in 1895. It soon became one of the state's top three gold mines. The mine, after decades of on-and-off production, was last closed in 1990. Camp Bird Road is known as one of the more dangerous backcountry roads in Colorado. Three people on a Jeep tour were killed in 2022 when the vehicle fell from the route and rolled to the bottom of the canyon.
