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Search and Rescue Locate Deceased Hiker

Columbia Valley Search and Rescue (CVSAR) responded to reports of a missing hiker on Pinto Mountain near Invermere, later locating the hiker deceased at the base of a cliff.

On Friday, August 2, 2019, Columbia Valley RCMP were notified of an overdue hiker on Pinto Mountain.

“A 62-year-old male had departed for a hike by himself earlier in the day and failed to return.” said RCMP. “Officers attended the area and discovered the hiker’s vehicle parked at the trail head.”

Conducting a search of the immediate are, RCMP were not able to located the subject, and thus called CVSAR for assistance, beginning their search at first light on Saturday, August 3, 2019.

“Shortly after 4:00 pm SAR volunteers made the tragic discovery of the hiker who was down a rocky embankment and confirmed deceased,” said RCMP. “No foul play was suspected and the investigation has been turned over to the Coroner’s office.”

“Volunteers from Columbia Valley, Cranbrook, Kimberley, and Golden used ground teams, search dogs and helicopters to comb the mountain,” added CVSAR. “Unfortunately the subject was found deceased at the base of a cliff.”

Columbia Valley RCMP and CVSAR extended their condolences to family ad friends of the 62-year-old, following the tragic incident.

Search and Rescue volunteers on a helicopter longline system that was used to extricate the deceased hiker and SAR volunteers on August 3, 2019 on Pinto Mountain near Invermere. (Supplied by Columbia Valley Search and Rescue)
Bradley Jones
Bradley Jones
Delivering local news and sports in the East Kootenay since April 2016, Bradley now calls Cranbrook home. Born and raised in Airdrie, AB, Bradley graduated from Lethbridge College, and has been a journalist, news anchor and reporter since 2014. Bradley took on local News Director responsibilities when he moved to Cranbrook in 2016. He is now Vista Radio's Kootenay News Director, managing and overseeing all news operations at the company's five regional radio stations in Cranbrook, Creston, Nelson, Castlegar, and Grand Forks.

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