BANFF NATIONAL PARK – A rockfall has killed at least one hiker and injured others near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park, while others may still be missing.
According to the Slow & Steady Hikers group, one of their members died.
In a social media post, the administrator of the site, Andy Dragt, said another member broke her arm.
"The rest of our group is uninjured," he wrote.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies responded to a “serious rockfall with involvement”, including Parks Canada’s rescue crews who were flown by helicopter to the scene, arriving shortly after 2 p.m.
In a joint RCMP-Parks Canada statement issued at 9:20 p.m., RCMP have confirmed that one person was found dead at the scene, while two people were flown by STARS air ambulance to Calgary's Foothills Hospital and one was taken by ground ambulance. Their conditions are unknown at this time.
The search will continue tomorrow to confirm that no other hikers remain missing.
“If you are missing a loved one, please contact Parks Canada’s Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470,” states the joint Parks Canada-RCMP media release.
Parks Canada responded to a "serious rockfall incident with involvement" near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park, said James Eastham, a Parks Canada spokesperson for Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay field unit in an email.
Parks Canada search and rescue teams from Banff and Jasper national parks responded, with support from other agencies.
The slide came down right beside Bow Glacier Falls, with debris landing at the base of the falls where many people stop for lunch and photos.
There are believed to be as many as 15-plus hikers caught by the rockfall near Bow Glacier Falls, a roughly nine-kilometre popular out-and-back hike from Bow Lake.
Bow Lake is located about 37 km north of Lake Louise along the Icefields Parkway, also known as Highway 93 North.
Two STARS air ambulance helicopters were dispatched from Calgary and Edmonton.
Kate Langille, communication specialist for STARS, said the crews have arrived back at their respective bases.
"I can confirm that STAR-1 from Calgary and STAR-3 from Edmonton were dispatched to an incident at Bow Glacier in Banff National Park," she said.
"Each helicopter transported one patient to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary. Unfortunately, no information on patient condition is available at this time."
Cpl. Gina Slaney, an RCMP spokesperson, said Lake Louise RCMP were notified by Lake Louise Fire-Rescue at about 1:30 p.m.
She said the initial report indicated there were multiple hikers and there may be "serious injuries and/or fatalities."
“It’s quite a ways off the beaten path and right now Parks Canada search and rescue are there.”
'It was a nightmare'
A person who witnessed the rockfall, who asked not to be named, said they were heading towards the Bow Glacier Falls and noticed the water from the falls was flowing quickly.
When the person began to turn towards Mount Jimmy Simpson, they heard an "almighty crack."
“I turned with my phone in my hand expecting to catch a little rockfall, totally unprepared for what I was watching and realized to my horror there were people in that area,” they said.
They said they deployed their Garmin and messaged their partner to call 911 immediately. Within the hour, they said helicopters came on site and saw several injured people being attended to by emergency personnel.
“It was a nightmare,” they said, adding several injured people were being brought out and heard several people were caught in the rockfall.
They said medical personnel were triaging people and said they left the scene to allow emergency personnel to do their job.
Extra resources deployed to scene
The Town of Banff responded to a request for assistance from Parks Canada and sent five fire-rescue personnel to help. The Town of Banff's emergency management director is also helping as liaison and planning support. Lake Louise Fire-Rescue is also on scene.
Alberta Health Services EMS confirmed they are working closely with its partners to respond to a reported incident at Bow Glacier Falls.
"As the situation is ongoing and involves multiple responding partners, no further updates will be provided at this time," said Shannon M. Shimek, AHS's executive director of communications.
Temporary closures are expected on the Icefields Parkway near Bow Lake to allow responders to work.
“Parks Canada asks that visitors avoid the area while teams respond,” said Eastham.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith thanked emergency crews including search and rescue teams and STARS for their quick response.
"I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic event at Bow Glacier Falls, north of Banff, today," she said in a social media post..
"We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details."
Matt Jones, Alberta Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services, said the provincial government is working closely with all relevant partners to respond to the situation.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this incident," he said in a social media post.
"We extend our sincere appreciation to the first responders and healthcare personnel for their swift and dedicated efforts."
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details become known.
