False alarm as backcountry skier alerts Fernie RCMP to possible avalanche victim
By Nelson Daily Staff
RCMP and local search and rescue from Fernie were called to the area known as Mercury Bowl Tuesday after a backcountry skier noticed tracks leaving an old avalanche.
Shortly after 11 a.m. an experienced back country skier reported to the Elk Valley RCMP that, while he was skiing Monday in backcountry near Fernie, he noticed an avalanche site that appears to be a few days old.
When leaving the area the skier also noticed two sets of ski tracks, which concerned him.
The RCMP immediately launched Search and Rescue to the site.
A Search and Rescue team from Fernie, along with an RCMP police service dog handler were flown to the site by a helicopter.
At this point, no one has been found and the police have not received any reports of missing persons on the mountain.
Search is continued Tuesday as a precautionary measure.
