Latest news with #KhaledElgamal
CBC
12 hours ago
- CBC
'Like my big brother': Survivor of Banff rockfall says friend who died saved him
A survivor of a rockfall last week in Banff National Park is remembering his 33-year-old roommate, who didn't make it out alive from under the rubble, as a kind and generous friend. Khaled Elgamal, 28, says Hamza Benhilal, of Surrey, B.C., was one of two people who died after a slab of mountain gave way last Thursday, raining rock down on hikers at Bow Glacier Falls, about 200 kilometres northwest of Calgary. "He was my friend but also like my big brother," Elgamal said Monday in an interview with The Canadian Press from a hospital bed in Calgary. He is recovering from a fractured pelvis and shoulder, cuts and scrapes. "I'm still shocked," said Elgamal. "I'm still getting flashbacks of the scene." He said he met Benhilal in 2022 when they were enrolled in the same online master of business administration program at University Canada West. Elgamal was living in Egypt, and Benhilal was in Morocco. They both moved to B.C. in 2022 and became housemates. Elgamal, now a financial adviser, and Benhilal, an engineer, had just arrived in Banff for a vacation, and a hotel worker recommended they visit Bow Glacier Falls, as the site's parking lot is usually less crowded. "We didn't even have it on our bucket list for that day. We were planning to go to Lake Louise," Elgamal said. He said a third friend on the trip decided to stay behind at the hotel, and he and Benhilal drove to the falls. "We took a bunch of pictures at the lake first and then started the hike to the waterfall." Shortly afterward, while still on the mountain, Elgamal said they heard a loud sound. "It sounded like a thunderstorm." When he turned around, Elgamal said he saw a large boulder fall from the mountain and shatter into pieces when it hit the ground. Benhilal was in front of him and screamed at Elgamal to run. "He saved me by screaming," Elgamal said. "I froze like a deer in headlights." Elgamal said he turned and ran a few steps, and a rock hit his feet, and he fell to the ground. He looked up and saw his friend for the last time, running and eventually disappearing in the dust. Elgamal said he was in and out of consciousness on the ground as stones hit his head and body. "Every time a rock was hitting me, I was blacking out." The slide eventually stopped, and Elgamal stayed on the ground, breathing heavily. "I was bleeding and looking around," he said. He then forced himself to get up. With a bleeding head, wobbly legs and in severe pain, Elgamal said he made his way through the dust and down the mountain. He slipped on some wet stones on his way down but continued following the sound of others screaming at the base. Other hikers came running to him and told him to lie down and breathe, and they put their jackets on him. "I was soaked in blood and barely managing myself," he said, adding he vomited a few times. "It was the most painful experience I've had." Elgamal told the others that he couldn't find his friend. He learned on Saturday that Benhilal was killed. Parks Canada said the body was recovered from the rubble on Friday. Another hiker, Jutta Hinrichs, a 70-year-old retired university professor from Calgary, was found dead at the site the day of the rockfall. The area around the falls remained closed Monday and Parks Canada said nothing could have prevented or predicted the rockfall. The Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail is a nine-kilometre route that runs along the edges of Bow Lake and is used by tourists and day-trippers. Elgamal said hospital workers have told him he will likely be discharged in the coming days. He said Benhilal's mother and one of his five brothers are set to arrive in Alberta this week to arrange his funeral. Elgamal said he can't believe his friend is gone, and he has been having nightmares about the rockfall every night since it happened.
CBC
14 hours ago
- Climate
- CBC
'He was like my big brother': Friend identifies second victim of Bow Glacier Falls rockfall
Social Sharing A survivor of a rockfall last week in Banff National Park is remembering his 33-year-old roommate and friend who didn't make it out alive from under the rubble. Khaled Elgamal, 28, of Surrey, B.C., says Hamza Benhilal was one of two people who died after a slab of mountain gave way last Thursday, raining rock down on hikers at Bow Glacier Falls, about 200 kilometres northwest of Calgary. In an interview with The Canadian Press, Elgamal said he was visiting Banff with Benhilal, an engineer, when they heard the loud sound of rocks dislodging. They began running to safety but did not get out of the way in time. He said he was crushed by the chunks of rock and is recovering in a Calgary hospital from a fractured pelvis and shoulder. Benhilal did not survive. "He was very kind, generous and very supportive," Elgamal said in an interview Monday. "He was like my big brother. He always had a smile on his face. He was very open to the world because he had travelled so much." Benhilal is one of two hikers who died in the rockfall. The other person was identified last week as 70-year-old Jutta Hinrichs, a retired university professor from Calgary. Parks Canada has closed the area around the falls and has said nothing could have prevented or predicted the rockfall. The Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail is a nine-kilometre route running along the edges of Bow Lake. It is considered a moderate challenge for hikers and is used by tourists and day-trippers, including families.
National Post
14 hours ago
- General
- National Post
'Run, run, run!' Hiker in hospital recounts Banff rockfall, mourns friend who died
An injured survivor of last Thursday's fatal rockfall in Banff National Park is remembering his friend Hamza Benhilal, who died in the slide, as a kind, generous person who was always there when needed. Article content Khaled Elgamal, 28, was one of two hikers airlifted by STARS air ambulance to the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary after suffering a broken pelvis and shoulder blade, as well as other injuries. He said he and Benhilal, who were visiting from Vancouver, were taking photos of the Bow Glacier Falls right before the disaster struck. Article content Article content The rockfall killed Benhilal, 33, and Calgarian Jutta Hinrichs, who was 70. Benhilal's body was recovered by a search-and-rescue team Friday morning. Thirteen other hikers were injured or evacuated, including Elgamal, who is still in hospital. Article content Article content Article content While Parks Canada didn't release Benhilal's name, the agency did confirm Monday morning that a 33-year-old resident of Surrey, B.C., was the second hiker killed in the rockfall. Article content In addition to two fractured bones, Elgamal said he suffered various cuts and bruises on his back and legs, and received stitches to his forehead. Article content Elgamal said he and Benhilal both immigrated to Canada in 2022, and studied together for their MBAs. Elgamal is originally from Egypt, while Benhilal was from Morocco. Elgamal works as a financial advisor, while Benhilal was a network engineer. They were roommates in Surrey, B.C. Article content Benhilal was a good listener and mature beyond his years, according to Elgamal. He added his friend was well travelled and respected by his peers. Benhilal enjoyed playing tennis and would be very encouraging to new players of the sport. Article content Article content 'People would always approach him when they had problems,' Elgamal said. 'He was a very good listener and talked in a very mature way, always there whenever you needed him. Never did I ever ask him for something and he was not there for me.' Article content Having planned a trip to Alberta, Elgamal said they intended to visit Banff as well as some of the scenic lakes in the Bow Valley, including Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Article content After a recommendation from someone they met at the hotel where they were staying, Elgamal said the two decided on Thursday to check out Bow Lake and the Bow Glacier Falls, a popular hiking spot approximately 40 kilometres north of Lake Louise. Article content The rockfall occurred around 1 p.m., when Elgamal and Benhilal were taking photos of the scenic waterfall. Though he blacked out a few times during the rockslide, Elgamal said he 'can recall pretty much everything' about it. He and Benhilal had just ascended higher up the cliff face to take better photos. He figures they were likely the highest people up the mountain when they heard a loud crack, right before large rocks started to tumble down the cliff toward them.
CBC
14 hours ago
- CBC
Friend identifies second victim of Bow Glacier Falls rockfall in Banff National Park
A survivor of a rockfall last week in Banff National Park is remembering his 33-year-old friend Hamza Benhilal, who didn't make it out alive from under the rubble. Khaled Elgamal, 28, of Surrey, B.C., says his roommate and friend Benhilal was one of two people who died after a slab of mountain gave way last Thursday, raining rock down on hikers at Bow Glacier Falls. The first person has been identified as 70-year-old Jutta Hinrichs, a retired university professor from Calgary. Elgamal says he was visiting Banff with Benhilal, an engineer, when they heard the loud sound of rocks dislodging and started running. Elgamal says he was crushed by the chunks of rock and is recovering in a Calgary hospital from a fractured pelvis and shoulder. Parks Canada has closed the area around the falls, and says tests show the rockfall was the result of geological forces common in mountain areas. More information will be provided when available.
The Province
16 hours ago
- Climate
- The Province
'Run, run, run!' B.C. hiker recounts Banff rockfall, remembers friend who died
Khaled Elgamal said he and his friend, Surrey's Hamza Benhilal, were taking photos of Bow Glacier Falls right before disaster struck Khaled Elgamal (left) and Hamza Benhilal were friends and roommates visiting Banff National Park from Surrey, B.C. when they were caught in a fatal rockslide near the Bow Glacier Falls. Benhilal died, while Elgamal suffered two fractured bones and several minor injuries. Photo submitted An injured survivor in last Thursday's fatal rockfall in Banff National Park is remembering his friend Hamza Benhilal, who died in the tragedy, as a kind, generous person who was always there when needed. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Khaled Elgamal, 28, was one of two hikers airlifted by STARS air ambulance to the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary after suffering a broken pelvis and shoulder blade, as well as other injuries. He said he and Benhilal, who were visiting from Vancouver, were taking photos of the Bow Glacier Falls right before the disaster struck. The rockfall killed Benhilal, who was 33, and Calgarian Jutta Hinrichs, who was 70. Benhilal's body was recovered by a search-and-rescue team Friday morning. Thirteen other hikers were injured or evacuated, including Elgamal, who is still in hospital. Hamza Benhilal, of Surrey, B.C., died in a rockfall on June 19 at Bow Glacier Falls. He was 33. Photo submitted While Parks Canada didn't release Benhilal's name, the agency did confirm Monday morning that a 33-year-old resident of Surrey, B.C., was the second hiker to have died in the rockfall. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In addition to two fractured bones, Elgamal said he suffered various cuts and bruises on his back and legs, and received stitches on his forehead. Elgamal said he and Benhilal both immigrated to Canada in 2022, and studied together for their MBAs. Elgamal is originally from Egypt, while Benhilal was from Morocco. Elgamal works as a financial advisor, while Benhilal was a network engineer. They were roommates in Surrey, B.C. Benhilal was a good listener and mature beyond his years, according to Elgamal. He added his friend was well travelled and respected by his peers. Benhilal enjoyed playing tennis and would be very encouraging to new players of the sport. 'People would always approach him when they had problems,' Elgamal said. 'He was a very good listener and talked in a very mature way, always there whenever you needed him. Never did I ever ask him for something and he was not there for me.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Having planned a trip to Alberta, Elgamal said they intended to visit Banff as well as some of the scenic lakes in the Bow Valley, including Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. After a recommendation from someone they met at the hotel they were staying, Elgamal said they decided on Thursday to check out Bow Lake and the Bow Glacier Falls, a popular hiking spot approximately 40 kilometres north of Lake Louise. The rockfall occurred around 1 p.m., when Elgamal and Benhilal were taking photos of the scenic waterfall. Though he blacked out a few times during the rockslide, Elgamal said he 'can recall pretty much everything' about it. He and Benhilal had just ascended higher up the cliff face to take better photos. He figures they were likely the highest people up the mountain when they heard a loud crack, right before large rocks started to tumble down the cliff toward them. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Khaled Elgamal was still recovering in hospital in Calgary as of Monday. Photo submitted. 'I froze out of fear and couldn't move for like two seconds,' Elgamal said. 'My friend, the only thing I remember was telling me, 'run, run, run.' '(He) was a little bit to my left side when we turned our backs to the rocks and started running. Very shortly after, the rocks started hitting my legs and I fell down to the ground. I kind of squeezed my body, just giving my back to the rocks and trying to cover my head.' The last thing Elgamal saw, he said, was Benhilal running down the mountain in front of him. 'That was it — I didn't see him again after that,' he said. 'The rocks just kept slamming my back, one after another.' Once the rocks had settled and he regained full consciousness, Elgamal said he realized his back, head and hands were bleeding. He knew he had to get down the mountain if he was going to be able to be rescued. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'There was dust and I couldn't see anything,' he recalled. 'The rocks were slippery because of the waterfall, so I started sliding down the rocks to get to the ground level.' After descending, he said he started calling out for help. Eventually, a first responder grabbed him and got him onto one of STARS' helicopters. While still in a Calgary hospital Monday, he said his condition has been improving and his doctors told him he should likely recover in six to eight weeks, with no surgery required. 'The nurses here have been taking good care of me, with the medications and the healing process,' he told Postmedia. 'I've been improving day by day and I'm starting to be able to stand and go to the washroom.' By speaking to media, Elgamal said he wants to pay tribute to Benhilal, whose family now has to deal with both funeral expenses as well as the cost to transport his body back to Morocco — something Elgamal has heard will cost about $13,000. Benhilal's brother will be coming to Canada this week to retrieve the body and sort out any paperwork, Elgamal added. Elgamal also said he feels he and the other survivors need psychiatric support in processing what happened, but argued they haven't received that assistance yet. 'Just talking about it helps me with . . . letting people know this is what happened,' he said. Vancouver Canucks News News News News
