File avalanche photo from the Canadian Press (*Note that this image is not the Merritt area scene)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

MERRITT AVALANCHE

UPDATE: One person confirmed dead after Merritt-area avalanche

Jan 4, 2020 | 2:41 PM

MERRITT — Update (4:45 pm) RCMP have confirmed a man has been killed after getting caught in an avalanche Saturday afternoon.

“The victim was located by searchers, but sadly he did not survive,” Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesman for the BC RCMP stated in a news release. “The BC Coroners Service has been notified and is now investigating the man’s sudden death.”

RCMP received a report of an avalanche southwest of the community around 12:41 pm. The initial call stated that two men were snowmobiling when the avalanche occurred, and that one person was attempting to locate the second, who was trapped by the slide.

The deceased man’s identity has not been released.

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Earlier: RCMP in the Nicola Valley have confirmed one person is trapped, and search and rescue teams have been brought in after an avalanche was triggered in the region’s back country.

In a release from Merritt RCMP, police say they received a report of an avalanche near Cabin Lake and Prospect Creek at 12:41 pm this afternoon.

Initial reports indicate that one person has been trapped, and is in need of urgent care.

RCMP say this incident is still unfolding and will provide updates as they are able to.

For now, the general public is urged to check the Avalanche Canada website for conditions in their region, and to be extra cautious when going out into the back country.