Alberta RCMP says one person is dead and three are injured after hikers were caught in a rockslide in Banff National Park on Thursday afternoon.
According to Parks Canada, it happened near Bow Glacier Falls — about 37 kilometres north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway — in a remote area with limited cell service around 1 p.m.
RCMP provided an update around 4:42 p.m., saying, “The initial report indicated there were multiple hikers and there may be serious injuries and/or fatalities.”
Safety teams from Banff and Jasper national parks responded, and the RCMP was called to the scene around 1:30 p.m., STARS and fire crews also responded.
STARS air ambulance spokeswoman Kate Langille said two units were deployed about 2 p.m. She said the organization would have more to say after crews returned to their bases in Edmonton and Calgary.
By 9:10 p.m., officials confirmed that one person had been declared dead at the scene, while two others were airlifted to the hospital, and a third was taken by a ground ambulance.
No information has been provided about the identity of the deceased.
Parks Canada says a search for more people will resume Friday morning when conditions are safe to do so with support from Canada Task Force Two (CAN-TF2 Calgary), a national disaster response team.
CAN-TF2 is conducting infrared flights, through their partners in the Calgary Police Service, in a effort to thoroughly search the area.
A Canada Task Force One (CAN-TF1 Vancouver) geotechnical engineer will also do a slope stability assessment, Parks Canada says.
If anyone is missing a loved one who may have been hiking in the area at the time, they are asked to contact Parks Canada’s Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470.
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.
“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.”
Bow Lake remains closed to all visitors as of Friday. A no-fly zone remains in place to ensure public safety and for park operations.
The Icefields Parkway, Highway 93N, remains open with potential intermittent, short-term traffic delays in the area of the incident.
Parks Canada says Alpine Club of Canada guests staying at Bow Hut are safe. Visitors staying at Bow Hut will be able to exit on schedule via the usual route, which is unaffected and safe to travel.
The Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail is a nine-kilometre route open year-round, running along the edges of Bow Lake. It’s considered a moderate challenge for hikers, and day-trippers include families.