An injured skier was airlifted to hospital after falling debris struck him along the Great Divide Traverse in Banff National Park. The 44-year-old U.K.
An injured skier was airlifted to hospital after falling debris struck him along the Great Divide Traverse in Banff National Park.
The 44-year-old U.K. tourist suffered a minor back injury Wednesday (May 4) on the west glacier of Mons Icefield around noon, in the northern portion of the park.
The debris fell from a snow cornice overhead, which pushed him with the debris for about 40 metres.
Alpine Helicopters located the injured man around 1:40 p.m. and transferred him to Banff Mineral Springs Hospital.
He was in a group of seven, who are all knowledgeable in backcountry safety, said Tania Peters, communication officer for Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay national parks.
“He was off rappel, putting gear back on when he was struck by debris,” said Peters.
It is uncertain what caused the debris to fall, said Peters, but it is not uncommon at this time of year.
After the man was swept away, his peers used an inReach tracking device that sent a signal to emergency responders.
Safety specialists strongly recommend everyone in a backcountry party needs to be equipped with an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel.
A two-day Avalanche Skills Training 1 course is the minimum training recommended for travelling in avalanche terrain.
