Parks Canada and RCMP have officially concluded their search and rescue response after a deadly rockfall inside Banff National Park.
The slide happened Thursday afternoon at Bow Glacier Falls. Parks Canada has confirmed two people were killed and three people were seriously injured. Officials said no one else has been reported missing and there are no unidentified vehicles at the trailhead. An estimated 100 personnel responded to the incident.
Our thoughts are with the victims’ family and friends. Read the Banff National Park’s statement below.
Banff National Park Statement:
Parks Canada and RCMP have concluded responding to a serious rockfall on June 19th at Bow Glacier Falls west of the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N) approximately 37 km north of Lake Louise in Banff National Park.
RCMP confirmed that two visitors were located deceased and three were seriously injured and transported to hospital. Parks Canada visitor safety specialists evacuated another 13 bystanders who did not require transport by ambulance. Parks Canada extends our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. Our thoughts remain with those in hospital and we hope for their full recovery.
-Banff National Park, including Bow Lake, is open and safe to visit.
-For safety, a closure remains around Bow Glacier Falls until further notice.
-Heavy precipitation including snow is expected on the Icefields Parkway. Please check the weather forecast and Alberta 511 before travelling.
-Mountain areas carry inherent risks which may never be fully mitigated. Rockfalls of this size are rare. However, we encourage everyone in mountain areas to be aware of their surroundings, be prepared, and carry a satellite communications device (e.g. In-Reach).
An estimated 100 personnel helped respond to this incident. Parks Canada and the RCMP would like to thank our partners in safety on this incident including Kananaskis Mountain Rescue Alberta Parks, Lake Louise Fire Department, Banff Fire Department, STARS Air Ambulance, Alpine Helicopters, Alberta Health Services EMS, Banff EMS, Associated EMS Nordegg, Canada Task Force One (CAN-TF1 Vancouver), Canada Task Force Two (CAN-TF1 Calgary) and the Calgary Police Service. Special thanks to Improvement District No. 9 and Lodge at Bow Lake for supporting those involved.
