A snowboarder from Victoria is dead after an incident on Mount Washington that initially appears to have been an accident.
Staff with Mount Washington Resort say that the deceased person was a 22-year-old man from Victoria who was snowboarding inbounds with four companions during a snowstorm.
Some members of the group told lift operations staff that the young man had fallen in open intermediate terrain and did not meet them at the base of the lift as planned.
Ski patrollers undertook a search, and the snowboarder was found shortly after by the man’s companions who were helping searchers.
Staff say the snowboarder was unresponsive and had no apparent signs of trauma. Attempts to resuscitate the man by the companions and by the Ski Patrol were unsuccessful.
Comox Valley RCMP were called at approximately 5:15 p.m. on January 5th to respond to the incident, but they say there is no evidence of criminality.
They added that the incident appears to be accidental and the BC Coroners Service is now investigating.
Mount Washington Resort general manager Dean Prentice called the death a tragedy.
“Our team at Mount Washington extends our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of this young man,” he said in a statement.
“Our hearts break for them. I would like to thank our first responders and dedicated staff for their efforts in this unfortunate situation.”
