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Second off-duty Nelson officer succumbs to injuries after avalanche

Officer dies after avalanche

A British Columbia police officer, who was in the hospital with critical injuries after being hit by an avalanche, has died.

Const. Mathieu Nolet, a member of the Nelson Police Department, and colleague Const. Wade Tittemore were caught in an avalanche on Jan. 9 while out backcountry skiing in southeastern B.C.

The pair were some 60 km north of Nelson, near Empire Cabin, when the snow came down on them.

Nolet, 28, was taken to Kelowna General Hospital in critical condition with internal injuries and broken ribs. On Saturday, he succumbed to his injuries.

"Our heartfelt condolences to Mathieu's parents, our OPPA members Gino and Jen Nolet, his family, friends, colleagues, and to family, friends and colleagues of Sergeant Tittemore," a social media post reads.

Nolet's fiance and his parents travelled from Ontario to B.C. to be with him.

Chief Const. Donovan Fisher said Nolet had been with Nelson police for approximately a year.

"Const. Nolet also started his career with Calgary Police Service where after roughly a year he transferred to Nelson to take advantage of the many outdoor activities and the beautiful scenery," said Fisher.

Tittemore had been with the force for four years and before that was with Calgary police for 11 years. He leaves behind a wife and two sons.

Tittemore was posthumously promoted to detective during his funeral.

Fisher announced Tittemore's promotion saying they had already planned to move the constable up to their general investigation section before he died.

A GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $76,000 for the families.

- with files from The Canadian Press



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