This week an avalanche near Clearwater B.C. claimed the life of a well known and very respected doctor in that community.
Dr. Ifor Thomas, 48, died Feb. 17 from injuries received when he was swept up in an avalanche on the north side of Raft Peak triggered by Thomas and two other male skiers.
All three were buried, but were able to dig themselves out and proceed back to the town. However, Thomas was so seriously injured he later died.
RCMP is working closely with the Coroner's Service in investigating this tragedy.
The Canadian Avalanche Centre has issued a special avalanche warning for the back country areas of the Columbia Mountains from the U.S. border to south of Prince George and the South Coast Mountains from Pemberton to Lillooet and north, not including Whistler and Vancouver areas.
Thomas was the fourth avalanche death of the winter season in B.C. and the second within days.
On Feb. 14 a snowmobiler died in an avalanche near Blue River.
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