Bodies Of 2 Missing Snowshoers From Boston Recovered
BOSTON (CBS) – The bodies of two snowshoers from Boston have been recovered on Mt. Hector in Alberta, Canada.
The two are a man and a woman, who are both 32-years old, and are doctors with ties to Mass General Hospital.
Their names have not been released as Canadian law prohibits the released of accident victim names.
Searchers said once it was safe enough, they quickly recovered the bodies.
"Within ten minutes of arriving we determined the location of the two subjects and we were able to dig and recover them from the avalanche," said Grant Statham of Parks Canada.
The search began earlier this week when the pair missed check-out on Monday, and the motel notified the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The visitors' rental vehicle was found snow-covered on 93 near Mt. Hector.
"Hiked up the Mt. Hector trail and were able to determine two individuals had been caught in an avalanche," said Cpl Curtis Peters of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Storms and avalanches delayed the recovery.
"We used the helicopter and teams on the ground, but the avalanche risk was too high," said Statham.
Late Thursday, Parks Canada confirmed two avalanche beacons. Friday, the man and woman were found buried under 6 to 10 feet of Snow. Statham believes the pair was caught in the avalanche on Sunday.
"The danger rating on that time is considerable which means dangerous avalanche conditions and human triggered avalanches are likely," said Statham.
With that warning, only people with experience in back country travel are expected to go in. Statham didn't know that pair's training, but he said they were properly equipped. Parks Canada doesn't close back country trails. Visitors make their own decision.
Officials said they have been in contact with the families. The families will now work with the Embassy to bring the bodies back to Boston.
