Two Alberta snowmobilers are dead after getting caught in an avalanche near McBride in eastern British Columbia on Saturday.
RCMP Cpl. Dave Tyreman says the two victims were among three men hit by the slide when they were snowmobiling in the Lower Dore Mountain Range.
The third man was able to dig himself out.
The Kinsmen Club of Ponoka identified member Tom Hamilton, 29, as one of the men killed. A post to the club's Facebook page Sunday described Hamilton as "an avid snowmobiler," who leaves behind a wife and two young children.
Ponoka Mayor Rick Bonnett told Global News Hamilton was well known in the central Alberta town.
“He was on various organizations and boards. It’s a tragic loss for our community,” said Bonnett.
A 36-year-old man from Sherwood Park, near Edmonton, was also killed in the slide. His name has not been released, but Global News has identified him as Curtis Fries.
An RCMP news release says one of the victims was dug out by two others but he didn't survive and the second victim couldn't be found.
The local search and rescue team determined conditions were too dangerous to attempt a search or recovery until Sunday, when the bodies were removed by helicopter.
(With files from the Canadian Press)
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