Latest news with #LakeLouise
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Multiple hikers feared dead as rockslide pummels Canada's Banff National park
Multiple people are feared dead after a horrific rockslide on Thursday swept up numerous hikers who had been enjoying Canada 's Banff National Park. The rockfall, north of Lake Louise, was triggered near Bow Glacier Falls at around 1:30pm and 'multiple hikers' were caught in it, said the Lake Louise Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). A joint statement by RCMP and Parks Canada confirmed one person died at the scene, and three others were evacuated to the hospital. Their conditions have not been shared at this time. Rescuers in Alberta are set to resume their search on Friday until dark for anyone else who may have been caught in the rockfall. Video posted online of the incident showed a large shelf of stone rocketing down a mountainside, which then caused a huge cloud of gray dust to rise into the air.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
One dead, three injured in Banff National Park rockslide
One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. It happened around 1 p.m. on Thursday at Bow Glacier Falls. Parks Canada's Lake Louise Yoho Kootenay Field Unit said the location was 'approximately 37 km north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North).' Parks Canada and RCMP issued a joint statement on Thursday night. 'One person was located deceased at the scene. Two individuals were evacuated by STARS air ambulance and one by ground ambulance, and their conditions are unknown at this time,' the statement said. Deadly rockslide in Banff National Park, June 19, 2025 One person died and three others taken to hospital after a rockslide near the Bow Lake Glacier, a popular hiking spot in Banff National Park, on June 19, 2025. (Supplied) STARS air ambulance sent helicopters from Calgary and Edmonton. Thursday evening, STARS said its crews had returned to their respective bases after having transported people from the staging site at the rockslide. 'Each helicopter transported one patient to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary,' STARS said. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. STARS also could not provide the conditions of the patients. Alberta Health Services confirmed the involvement of EMS in the response but likewise could not provide additional information. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. Parks Canada and RCMP said they would search to confirm that no other hikers remain missing until dark and then resume at first light. They said anyone missing a loved one should contact Parks Canada's Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470. 'Parks Canada and RCMP are operating drone searches and dog handlers are assisting when and where it is safe to do so,' the statement said. 'Geotechnical assessments will take place when assessors arrive.' Parks Canada and RCMP said Alpine Club of Canada guests staying at Bow Hut are safe and will be able to exit on schedule. 'Bow Lake is closed to all visitors. A NOTAM (no-fly zone) is in place to ensure public safety and for park operations. Heavy precipitation, including snow, is expected on the Icefields Parkway. Please check the weather forecast and Alberta 511 before travelling,' the statement said. 'Banff National Park remains open and safe to visit. The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N) remains open with intermittent, short-term traffic stoppages in the vicinity of the incident.' One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. Dan Shugar, a geomorphologist and associate professor at the University of Calgary, said rockslides are common in terrain such as what's found in that area. 'Bow Glacier Falls is quite a popular hiking spot along the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper,' Shugar said. 'Anyone who's been to that area knows it's extremely steep—Bow Glacier Falls in particular. When you hike there, you do hear lots of rocks tumbling off the waterfalls. 'It appears a pretty large chunk of rock to hikers' right of the falls—maybe 100 or 200 metres to the right—is what collapsed.' But Shugar said it's not so common that rockslides result in injuries or fatalities. He said it's 'always a shock' when they do. 'I doubt there would have been anything to forecast such an event,' he said. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. Parks Canada and RCMP offered their condolences in their statement. 'Parks Canada and RCMP are deeply saddened by this tragic incident. Our hearts go out to the friends and families of all involved,' the statement said. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. One person is dead and three people are in hospital in the aftermath of a rockslide in Banff National Park, and the search for others continues. Banff-Kananaskis MLA Sarah Elmeligi posted to social media on Thursday afternoon: 'I am just learning about this tragic event at Bow Falls in Banff National Park. My heart aches every time someone is hurt or worse in our beautiful mountains,' Elmeligi wrote. Edmonton Centre MP and federal cabinet minister Eleanor Olszewski posted, 'My heart is with everyone affected by the rockslide near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff. Grateful to Parks Canada, STARS air ambulance, and all first responders supporting the emergency response.' Premier Danielle Smith also posted: 'I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic event at Bow Glacier Falls, north of Banff, today,' Smith said. 'We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details. 'On behalf of Alberta's government, I also want to offer my most sincere gratitude to the emergency crews including search and rescue teams, and (STARS) for responding quickly.' I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic event at Bow Glacier Falls, north of Banff, today. We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details. On behalf of Alberta's government, I also want to offer my most sincere gratitude to… — Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) June 19, 2025 Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, posted, 'I am heartbroken to learn about the tragic rockslide at Bow Glacier Falls in Banff today. My deepest condolences to the families and friends of those lost or injured, and grateful for the swift response by (Parks Canada), RCMP, (STARS and) all emergency teams.' And MP and federal cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault also posted: 'I'm aware of the rock slide incident at Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park,' he wrote. 'Thank you to the (Parks Canada) visitor safety teams and first responders on the ground. 'My prayers are with everyone affected as we await further details.'
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
One dead, three hurt after rockfall hits hiking group at Banff National Park
LAKE LOUISE — A rockfall at a popular hiking trail in Banff National Park killed one person and sent three to hospital Thursday, as rescue crews searched for others who might be missing. Videos posted to social media of the rock slide at Bow Glacier Falls reportedly show massive rocks crashing down a mountainside, kicking up massive clouds of grey dust as people clambered to safety. 'RCMP have confirmed that one person was located deceased at the scene,' Alberta RCMP and Parks Canada said in a joint statement late Thursday. '(The) search will continue tomorrow to confirm that no other hikers remain missing.' Drones and dogs were helping with the search, and geotechnical tests would be done when assessors could get to the site, they said. Bow Lake was closed to visitors, and a no-fly zone was put in place. Anyone missing a loved one was asked to call Parks Canada. STARS air ambulance said two of the injured were airlifted to hospital in Calgary. A third person was taken by ground ambulance. Their conditions were not known. The falls are part of the Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail, a nine-kilometre route open year-round, running along the edges of Bow Lake. It's located about 200 kilometres west of Calgary, north of Lake Louise. It is considered a moderate challenge for hikers and is used by tourists and day-trippers, including families. Niclas Brundell of Canmore was hiking in the area with his wife and said the slide happened a little after noon. Brundell, who said he was unable to immediately speak with The Canadian Press, told CBC that they heard rumbles and small rocks falling, prompting them to start leaving. There were other hikers in the area, he said. 'People kept taking selfies and stuff, and both of us were taking it as a warning sign to at least keep further away from the mountainsides," he told CBC. "All of a sudden, we heard this much louder noise, and I turned around and I see, basically, a whole shelf of a mountain come loose, like something I've never seen before. "(It) almost looked like a slab avalanche but made of rock.' He said there were at least 20 people in the area under the rockfall and, as it crashed down, it sent up the massive rolling dust cloud. 'The scariest part was that whole group underneath the waterfall just kind of disappeared into that cloud formation,' he said. 'My wife thought the whole mountainside was coming loose." They weren't sure they could outrun the cloud, he said. 'I was just yelling at (my wife) to like, 'Go, go, go! We need to run!' And luckily, we got out.' Evidence of the rockfall was visible from across the lake. The side of the mountain near a waterfall was darkened and worn, except for a large patch that was significantly lighter, where a heap of debris lay below. Low-flying helicopters were seen scanning the area late Thursday, making several trips between the rockfall site and the Lodge at Bow Lake. The parking lot to enter the lodge was closed to the public and media, and several ambulances were parked near the hotel. On social media, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she was deeply saddened. "We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details," she said. "On behalf of Alberta's government, I also want to offer my most sincere gratitude to the emergency crews, including search and rescue teams and STARS air ambulance for responding quickly." Federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski, also in a social media post, said: "My heart is with everyone affected by the rock slide near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff." "Grateful to Parks Canada, STARS air ambulance and all first responders supporting the emergency response." RCMP and Parks Canada said snow was expected on Friday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2025. — With files from Aaron Sousa in Edmonton Matthew Scace, The Canadian Press
CBS News
8 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Rockslide in Banff National Park in Canadian Rockies kills 1, injures 3
Calgary, Alberta — Falling rocks struck people on a hiking trail in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, killing one and injuring three others Thursday. Rescuers had rushed to the park in the afternoon after receiving reports that a group of hikers had been struck by the rockslide. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Parks Canada later confirmed one died and three were injured near Bow Glacier Falls. A helicopter is seen close to the scene of a rockslide near Bow Glacier Falls, north of Lake Louise in Banff National Park in Canada on June 19, 2025. Larry MacDougal / The Canadian Press via AP The site is north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, about 124 miles northwest of Calgary. It's also about 85 miles from the site of the Group of Seven summit held in Kananaskis, Alberta, this week. STARS Air Ambulance spokeswoman Kate Langille earlier said two of its units were deployed around 2 p.m. Parks Canada has asked visitors to avoid the area. The Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail is a 6-mile route along the edges of Bow Lake. It's considered a path of moderate difficulty for hikers and day-trippers, including families. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she was deeply saddened. "We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details," she said in a post on social media platform X.
The Independent
9 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Hiker dies after rockslide in remote part of national park
A rockslide in a Canadian national park has claimed the life of one hiker and left three others injured. The hikers were struck by falling rocks on a trail in Banff National Park on Thursday. Emergency services were dispatched to the Canadian Rockies park on Thursday afternoon following reports of multiple fatalities or injuries. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Parks Canada later confirmed the incident occurred near Bow Glacier Falls. The site is located north of Lake Louise on the scenic Icefields Parkway, approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) northwest of Calgary. It is also situated about 137 kilometres (85 miles) from Kananaskis, Alberta, where the Group of Seven summit was held this week. STARS Air Ambulance spokeswoman Kate Langille earlier said two of its units were deployed around 2 p.m. Parks Canada asked visitors to avoid the area. The Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail is a 9-kilometer (6-mile) route running along the edges of Bow Lake. It is considered a moderate challenge for hikers and day-trippers include families. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she was deeply saddened. 'We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details,' she said in a post on social media.
