Lake Louise RCMP report that a 38 year old Calgary man who was caught in an avalanche in the Helens Shoulder area near Lake Louise passed away Sunday (March 16) at Foothills Hospital in Calgary.
The man was buried by an avalanche for 15 minutes in the Helens Shoulder glades, four kilometres south of Num-Ti-Jah Lodge on Highway 93 North in Banff National Park on Saturday (March 15).
The man, whose name has not been released, had undergone surgery, but was not able to recover and passed away with family by his side.
The 38 year old was skiing in a party of four when an avalanche was triggered. Party members located him using probes and beacons, while passersby from the highway performed CPR until EMS arrived.
Alpine Helicopters flew him to Lake Louise, where STARS transported him to Calgary in critical condition.
Avalanche conditions in the area were rated considerable at the time of the accident. Backcountry users are advised to check www.avalanche.ca for current conditions.
