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RCMP confirms death at Baldy Mountain Resort, employee passes after becoming stuck underneath snowcat groomer

Death caused by snowcat

UPDATED: 4:03 p.m.

More information involving the death of a team member at Mount Baldy Ski Resort has come forward, confirming that an employee of the resort was killed after becoming stuck beneath a Snowcat groomer.

RCMP, the BC Coroners Service and Work Safe BC are investigating the fatality.

Oliver RCMP responded to a report of a workplace incident up at the Ski Hill on Friday around 4:43 p.m.

"Despite the efforts of other employees and emergency first aid attendants on the mountain, the 70-year-old man did not survive and was pronounced deceased," stated Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesperson for the BC RCMP in the Southeast District in a press release.

The man’s identity will not be released because of the privacy of the deceased, under the Coroner’s Act.


ORIGINAL: 10:37 a.m.

A member of the Baldy Mountain Resort family died in a "terrible accident" Friday, causing the South Okanagan resort to close Saturday.

The resort, located east of Oliver, posted on its Facebook page Friday night that it would not be opening Saturday, and Saturday morning, it elaborated on why.

"It is with great pain we report the passing of a wonderful, caring, gentle and valued Baldy Family member, from a terrible accident yesterday," Baldy Mountain wrote on its website.

"We are all devastated. The intense emotions we feel are beyond comprehension. We cannot begin to grasp the overwhelming pain and sorrow the family is going through right now. We know there are no words to comfort them."

It's unclear who the person was, or how they died. The post goes on to say the resort is closed Saturday as authorities "pursue their investigation."

"Everyone at Baldy is working diligently with the authorities on this situation, following their directions and complying with their requests," the resort said.

Updates on when the ski hill will reopen will be posted to the resort's website.

"At this time we ask for your patience and understanding while we deal with this tragic situation. We kindly ask you to respect the grief the family is going through."



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