Nelson (BC), Canada – A pair of heli-skiers died last week when an avalanche swept down on their party in the Bonnington Mountains south of Nelson.

The victims who died in Wednesday’s avalanche were identified by the RCMP as Katie Aring, 30, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Ryan Keene, 29, of London, England. Both were skiing with a guided tour provided by the Snowwater heli-ski company when the incident occurred. They were in a helicopter pick-up zone with their skis removed when the avalanche released above their group of five. A total of four victims were unable to outrun the overtaking wall of snow.

The one unburied member of the party assisted other guides from nearby groups in locating the victims from among the avalanche debris.

“Four guests and a guide were caught in an avalanche. Sadly, one guest died at the scene while another succumbed later in hospital,” stated Snowwater President Patric Maloney. “I
 commend our staff and guests for their part in executing a rescue. Our
 thoughts are with the families of the victims and survivors.”

The investigation into the incident is now being led by the BC Coroners Services. Last Wednesday’s fatalities are the first to occur with Snowwater since the company’s inception in 1994.