A police officer died and one other was critically injured after they have been caught in an avalanche close to Kaslo in BC’s West Kootenay area on Monday afternoon.
The officer has been recognized by the Metropolis of Nelson and the Nelson Police Division as Wade Tittemore, age 43.
In a press release, the town and police stated Const. Tittemore “was a valued member of the Nelson Metropolis Police Division for over 4 years. “(He) was an avid backcountry fanatic who beloved snowboarding, mountaineering and backpacking. He moved from Calgary to Nelson, the place he served with the Calgary Police Service for 11 years. (He) has a spouse and two sons.”
A second officer, Mathieu Nolet, age 28, was significantly injured within the avalanche and was in an area hospital the place he remained within the ICU, officers confirmed.
Each officers have been snowboarding when the incident occurred, the Nelson Police Board stated. They used to experience snowmobiles to the realm earlier than getting on skis. Neither officer was working on the time.
“Nelson is without doubt one of the smallest municipal police forces in Canada, and we’re like one huge household. The influence of the demise of Constable Tittemore has a profound impact on the drive and our group,” Chief Donovan Fisher stated in a launch. “Our deepest condolences exit to his household.”
By electronic mail, BC Emergency Well being Companies confirmed it acquired a name from Kaslo Search and Rescue at 1:09 p.m. Monday in response to the avalanche.
Paramedics met a search and rescue helicopter at Nelson Airport and transported one affected person to hospital, it stated.
International Information spoke to Mayor Janice Morisson, who provided her condolences to the household.
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Assist is in place by way of the Metropolis of Nelson and the Nelson Police Division to help grieving workers and their households.
The general public is invited to electronic mail condolences to Tittemore’s household at condolences@nelson.ca.
Public Security Minister Mike Farnworth stated in a press release on Tuesday that “our hearts exit to the household, associates and colleagues of the off-duty Nelson police officer who died in an avalanche yesterday whereas drove a snowmobile close to Kaslo.
“On behalf of all British Columbians, we ship our deepest condolences to all these affected by this tragedy. Our ideas are additionally with the officer who was critically injured, and we want them effectively as they start their restoration.
“We want to thank the businesses and first responders who assisted within the rescue operation. As all the time, they have been fast to assist, and we thank them for his or her efforts.
“This can be a great loss for Nelson and for policing in British Columbia, and we’re right here to help the Nelson Police Division and the Metropolis of Nelson at this tough time.”
The tragedy comes after a non-profit group devoted to public avalanche security warned British Columbians of “important” and “average” threat of avalanches early within the week.
The Avalanche Canada web site now estimates the harmful drive of the slide that hit the 2 snowmobiles was practically sufficient to bury a automotive, destroy a small constructing or snap timber.
It warned that the Kootenays and Kaslo have a average threat of avalanches on Monday, in addition to the western Fraser Valley and Okanagan, the northwest coast and inland from Kitimat to Iskut, and the south-central inside west of Merritt. A major threat score has in the meantime been given to the See-to-Luim area, the North Coast and the Sunshine Coast, the place snow, wind and rain on Sunday night time might have created recent plates responding to human triggers.
The danger degree was anticipated to drop by Wednesday.
A major threat score signifies that circumstances are hazardous, and whereas pure avalanches are attainable, human-induced avalanches are probably. Huge and small snowfalls are anticipated. A average threat degree means an elevated threat in sure terrain, with pure avalanches unlikely.
With recordsdata from The Canadian Press and International BC’s Elizabeth McSheffrey
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