Two separate avalanches send four patients to hospital

Photo: Bob Rankin

Four people have been taken to hospital, two in critical condition as a result of avalanches in the Cherryville and Revelstoke areas.

Tiffany Akins with BC Emergency Health Services tells Castanet News both avalanches occurred early Monday afternoon.

Akins says three people were taken to hospital from the avalanche in the Revelstoke area. Two were in critical condition while the third was in serious, but stable condition.

A private helicopter took the patients out part of the way and were met by ground ambulance who transported the three to hospital.

One victim of an avalanche in the Keefer Lake area near Cherryville was also transported to hospital by ground ambulance. Akins says a rescue helicopter was dispatched, but was unable to land. The condition of that individual is unknown.

Castanet is requesting more information from RCMP.

Avalanche Canada continues to warn the public about the dangers of avalanches in B.C.'s backcountry

"It’s essential to keep choosing low-angle, low-consequence terrain and remember that large, destructive avalanches are possible,” says the organization.

Three people have died as a result of avalanches in the province over the past seven days including two Nelson police officers and a snowmobiler who perished Saturday near Valemount.