Rescuers in Alberta are set to resume their search today for anyone else caught up in a massive rockfall that killed one and injured three in a remote section of Banff National Park.
Video posted online reportedly shows a large shelf of stone crashing down a mountainside at Bow Glacier Falls, about 200 kilometres northwest of Calgary.
One person had been found dead, and the extent of the injuries to the other three is unknown.
Two of the three injured were taken to a Calgary hospital by STARS air ambulance, and the third went to the hospital by ground ambulance.
The area includes the Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail, a nine-kilometre route open year-round running along the edges of Bow Lake.
Niclas Brundell of Canmore saw the rock slide and ran to escape.
Brundell, who said he was unable to immediately speak with The Canadian Press, told the CBC that he and his wife were hiking in the area just after lunch, when 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 a 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.”