RCMP, coroner investigate two deaths in BC mountains

UPDATE: 3:35 p.m.

Police and coroners are investigating the sudden deaths of two men who were found on separate ski hills on Friday.

RCMP say a snowboarder was pronounced dead after receiving CPR when he was found in a tree well near the Whitewater Ski Resort outside Nelson.

Four hours later, at Fernie Alpine Resort, police say a skier was found unresponsive in the snow.

Police say the man had been skiing with another person, but they became separated and when his partner retraced their run, the man was found in the snow amongst some trees.

The RCMP say the snowboarder was from the Central Kootenay area and the skier was from Fernie.

Both men were in their 30s.

– The Canadian Press

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ORIGINAL: noon

RCMP and the BC Coroners Service are investigating the sudden death of a skier, discovered in medical distress late Friday afternoon outside Fernie, B.C.

Elk Valley RCMP received a report of a skier discovered unresponsive, just after 4:30 p.m. Friday.

The skier was found in the snow amongst trees located on the Fernie Ski Hill. The victim had reportedly been skiing with another person, when the two became separated. The body was discovered once the ski-partner retraced their steps and made the discovery.

RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesperson for the RCMP Southeast District says the patient was transported off the mountain by ski patrollers, and to a local hospital by BC Emergency Health Services but was pronounced dead once in hospital.

The deceased has been identified as a Fernie man in his 30's, originally from Quebec.

The BC Coroners Service has been notified of the man’s death and is now investigating. Due to the privacy of the deceased, his name will not be released.