One dead, three injured in Banff National Park rock slide, officials say

Open this photo in gallery:

A rock slide killed at least one person and injured others on a popular hiking trail in the Canadian Rocky Mountains on Thursday, according to authorities.

The RCMP and Parks Canada, in a joint statement Thursday evening, confirmed one person was found dead at the scene of the slide, near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park. Two people were airlifted to hospital and another was transported by ground ambulance, the statement said.

“Parks Canada visitor safety teams will continue search and recovery operations until dark and will resume at first light,” the statement said.

Parks Canada and the RCMP said they are searching the area with drones and, when and where it is safe, dog handlers. The authorities did not indicate whether they believe more people are missing, but asked the public to report any missing hikers.

Bow Glacier Falls is about 37 kilometres north of Lake Louise. The area is near Bow Lake, off the Icefields Parkway, where cellular service is spotty. Bow Lake is now closed to visitors and officials implemented a no-fly zone to “ensure public safety and for park operations,” according to the statement.

Low-flying helicopters scanned the area late Thursday, making several trips between the rockfall site and the Lodge at Bow Lake.

Open this photo in gallery:

Among the hikers at Bow Glacier Falls Thursday was a small group of people with the Slow and Steady Hikers Club. One of the club organizers, who was not present at the hike, confirmed to The Globe and Mail that one of their members died in the rockfall and another was injured.

Andy Dragt did not name the deceased out of respect for their family.

Ten people, according to the club’s event page, were confirmed for Thursday’s hike. The event was marketed for beginner and intermediate hikers and said the pace would be slow, allowing for “plenty of rest stops for delayering, water, snacks, pictures or just to catch our breaths.”

Parks Canada received “a report of a serious rockfall” at Bow Glacier Falls at 1 p.m. Thursday, according to the evening statement. RCMP Corporal Gina Slaney said the Mounties received a request for assistance from the Lake Louise Fire Department about half an hour later.

Parks Canada and the RCMP said geotechnical assessments will take place when assessors arrive, according to Thursday’s statement.

STARS air ambulance confirmed it dispatched one helicopter from Calgary and another from Edmonton to the scene in the mountains. Each aircraft transported a patient to Calgary’s Foothills Medical Centre, according to STARS spokesperson Kate Langille.

Several politicians turned to social media to express sorrow for victims and gratitude for first responders before details, such as how many people were involved, were released.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic event at Bow Glacier Falls,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said on social media Thursday afternoon. “We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details.”

Matt Jones, Alberta’s Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services, said the government is working closely with partners to respond to the emergency.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this incident,” he said on social media. “We extend our sincere appreciation to the first responders and healthcare personnel for their swift and dedicated efforts.”

Naheed Nenshi, who leads Alberta’s NDP, said emergency teams are working under “incredibly difficult” conditions.

“This is a tragedy for those injured, those still unaccounted for, and the loved ones anxiously waiting for news,” he said on social media.

Parks Canada cautioned motorists to expect temporary closings on Highway 93 North, known as the Icefields Parkway, while responders work.

Banff-Kananaskis MLA Sarah Elmeligi, in a statement on Facebook, said she is keeping apprised of the incident and urged people to stay clear of the area so rescue teams are free to do their work.

“My heart aches every time someone is hurt or worse in our beautiful mountains,” she said.

Parks Canada rates the Bow Glacier Falls trail as a moderate hike. It is 4.4 kilometres one way, and the return trip takes about three hours.

“Amid the spray and roar at the base of Bow Glacier Falls, you can view the source of the Bow River,” Parks Canada notes, adding meltwater from the Wapta Icefield is the start of Western Canada’s largest watershed.

With reports from The Canadian Press