One dead after rockslide near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park

NEAR BOW LAKE, Alta. — One hiker was killed and others injured after a rockslide Thursday afternoon near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park.

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A joint statement from RCMP and Parks Canada at 9:15 p.m. confirmed that one person was located deceased at the scene, near Bow Glacier Falls, approximately 37 kilometres north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, also known as Highway 93N. Two individuals were evacuated by STARS Air Ambulance and one by ground ambulance, and their conditions were unknown at time of writing.

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“Search will continue tomorrow (Friday) to confirm that no other hikers remain missing,” the statement read, adding that those missing loved ones can contact Parks Canada’s Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470.

“Parks Canada and RCMP extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. Parks Canada visitor safety teams will continue search and recovery operations until dark and will resume at first light.”

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• READ MORE: How does a rockslide happen?

The statement went on to say Parks Canada and RCMP are operating drone searches and dog handlers are assisting when and where it is safe to do so. Geotechnical assessments will take place when assessors arrive, it added.

Alpine Club of Canada guests staying at Bow Hut are safe and visitors staying at Bow Hut will be able to exit on schedule via the usual route, which is unaffected and safe to travel.

With heavy precipitation in the forecast, Bow Lake is closed to all visitors and a no-fly zone has been put in place to ensure public safety and for park operations. Heavy precipitation including snow is expected on the Icefields Parkway.

Parks Canada’s Lake Louise Yoho Kootenay Field Unit confirmed a serious rockfall incident occurred around 1 p.m. near Bow Glacier Falls.

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“Parks Canada visitor safety teams from Banff and Jasper national parks are responding, with support from other agencies,” the unit said, adding visitors are asked to avoid the area while crews tend to the emergency situation.

Near the rockslide location, about 225 kilometres northwest of Calgary, a fish and wildlife truck was seen cruising away from the scene while a helicopter landed at the Lodge at Bow Lake. The aircraft left around 8:45 p.m. with a side-basket, while an ambulance was also observed emerging from the scene.

One hiker who witnessed the rockfall didn’t want to be interviewed, referring a Postmedia reporter instead to a message shared on social media.

“Heard it while walking around the lake, looked up and just saw the dust cloud behind the treeline,” the hiker said on Reddit. “Driving back home we saw about six ambulances and numerous other Parks Canada/emergency vehicles.”

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STARS air ambulance spokesperson Kate Langille said two of its helicopters were dispatched to the scene.

“STAR-1 from Calgary and STAR-3 from Edmonton were dispatched to an incident at Bow Glacier in Banff National Park. Each helicopter transported one patient to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary,” she said Thursday, shortly after 7 p.m. “Unfortunately, no information on patient condition, numbers or injuries are available at this time.”

A Postmedia photographer observed one of the helicopters at Foothills hospital around 5:30 p.m.

A staffer at the Canmore General Hospital said no one from the scene was taken to the health care facility. Meanwhile, the parking lot at the Banff Mineral Spring Hospital had a smattering of vehicles and employees didn’t allow journalists to enter.

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Temporary highway closures are expected on the Icefields Parkway near Bow Lake to allow for responders to work, officials said.

Up-to-date information on road closures will be published on Alberta 511.

A number of elected representatives, including Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and the federal minister responsible for Parks Canada, Steven Guilbeault, as well as Alberta Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani have offered their thoughts and prayers upon hearing news of the rockslide.

“We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details,” said Smith in her post. “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.”

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“Thank you to the Parks Canada visitor safety teams and first responders on the ground,” Guilbeault wrote. “My prayers are with everyone affected.”

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The president and CEO of Parks Canada, Ron Hallman, also expressed his condolences for those involved in the incident and support for park employees and first responders working at the scene.

“We are all heartbroken by the recent tragedy at Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park,” Hallman said in a message on social media. “On behalf of Parks Canada, my thoughts are with the families and friends of those who are affected.”

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A rockfall in the same area occurred on Aug. 26, 2023, when a section of rock wall broke off beside Bow Glacier Falls and crashed down the mountainside.

Although much of the debris was stopped by a ledge, a number of people suffered cuts and bruises, while a tourist from Israel broke her arm or shoulder when she fell while running to escape.

The trail at Bow Glacier Falls is considered a moderate hike, about 4.4 kilometres long one way, according to Parks Canada.

The trail there is described as a tourist-friendly trek, but it has no cellphone reception once visitors leave the parking lot.

The Bow Falls are the main attraction along the trail. From there, visitors are able to see the source of the Bow River.

— With files from Brent Calver and Bill Kaufmann

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