Search and rescue volunteers, the Mounties and specially trained dogs found seven of the eight missing snowmobilers who were caught in an avalanche near the town of Fernie in eastern B.C., Canada.
The first three bodies were recovered rather quickly around 1 p.m. because they were wearing beacons. Three others were found a short time after. The seventh body was recovered around 3:30 p.m., just as the search was planned to halt for the night.
Three other snowmobilers were wearing beacons, but they were in transmit mode possibly because they were looking for their friends when the second avalanche struck. Those snowmobilers were found with probes.
All of the bodies were found under hard-packed snow. Most victims were found under 1 meter of snow. One was found 3.5 meters down.
The search for the eighth body is delayed due to more incoming storms. A storm began to dump more snow in the area which is causing the hillside to become more unstable. Search and rescue teams may only have a few hours to search for the last victim.
All of the victims were well known citizens of the small town, Sparwood. Most of the men are said to be coal miners in the town. A candlelight vigil was held last night to mourn the loss.
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If their beacons were set to search for their friends, they’d be in “Receive”. “Transmit” is the default mode for a beacon where it sends out a beep every couple seconds.
Any news on whether the bodies were found by probes or whether they were located by dogs?