KOOTENAY – A trip to the Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park ended in tragedy this weekend, after a woman fell into the water and drowned.
On Sunday (Aug. 16), shortly after 6 p.m., Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of a fatal water incident, and a water rescue underway at Marble Canyon. RCMP said a couple travelled from Calgary to visit the canyon when the incident occurred.
According to reports a woman was being photographed when she lost her footing, slipped and was swept away by the current of Tokumm Creek. A man attempted to rescue the woman and was also swept away.
Bystanders, including a medical professional, pulled the woman from the water approximately one kilometre downstream and attempted life-saving measures. Despite their best efforts, the 34-year-old Calgary woman was pronounced deceased at the scene,
said Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey a spokesperson for the BC RCMP Southeast District, in a press release.
The 29-year-old Calgary man who attempted to save the woman was eventually pulled from the canyon by Parks Canada Visitor Safety crews executing a high angle rope rescue.
STARS air ambulance, from Calgary, was dispatched at 6:45 p.m. and airlifted the man to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is in stable condition.
The B.C. Coroners Service was notified, attended the scene and has launched a concurrent fact-finding investigation into the circumstances surrounding the woman’s sudden death.
The tragic event was witnessed by a number of people who were in the area at the time. All those individuals are now being supported by Columbia Valley RCMP Victim Services.
The identity of the deceased has not been released.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact the Columbia Valley RCMP at 250-342-9292.
