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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.”

A NOTAM refers to flight restrictions for pilots in the region.

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.

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.

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.”

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.”