Banff rockslide victim identified as retired Alberta educator

Two people have died at the scene of a rockslide in Banff National Park, RCMP confirmed, including a retired educator from the University of Alberta.

Parks Canada and RCMP issued a joint statement Friday, saying a second body was recovered in the morning.

The first victim, a 70-year-old woman, was found dead at the scene on June 19.

She’s been identified as Jutta Hinrichs of Calgary.

According to social media posts, Hinrich retired last summer.

She previously worked as a Calgary clinical education coordinator at the University of Alberta’s department of occupational therapy.

In a written statement, the university described Hinrichs as a “dedicated leader and educator.”

“She was integral to developing a southern Alberta satellite for the department, growing it from the seeds of her deep clinical and leadership experience in the Calgary area,” the statement reads. “As an educator, Jutta nurtured many students, preceptors and clinicians to flourish and grow. That her work continues to enrich the tapestry of occupational therapy in Alberta is her legacy.”

Hinrichs was part of meet-up hiking group Slow and Steady.

There is currently no information about the second person who was killed.

RCMP spokesperson Gina Slaney said at a Friday media briefing that next-of-kin were in the process of being contacted.

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Three other hikers, flown to hospital from the scene on Thursday, have all been upgraded to stable condition.

Overall, there were 13 uninjured bystanders, three injured, who were transported to hospital, and two deaths, according to a Parks Canada spokesperson.

No one else is reported missing and all of the vehicles parked at the Bow Lake trailhead have been accounted for, officials said in the statement.

“Parks Canada and RCMP extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the two individuals who lost their lives, our hearts are with them. Our thoughts also remain with those in hospital and we hope for their full recovery.”

Bow Glacier Falls remains closed

While some areas, such as Bow Lake and the trail to Bow Hut, have reopened, the trail where the deadly slide occurred remains closed due to unstable rock.

Parks Canada says safety teams remain at the scene and are working with a geotechnical engineer, Canada Task Force One, Canada Task Force Two and partners with the Calgary Police Service.

The Icefields Parkway is open, but drivers should be aware of intermittent closures near the incident.

Poor weather, including heavy rain and snow, is also affecting travel in the area.

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‘Neither preventable nor predictable’

A Parks Canada spokesperson said the rockslide was part of a natural process, except for the size of the rocks.

“Sadly, this extremely rare event appears to have been neither preventable nor predictable,” Francois Masse, a Parks Canada superintendent for Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay.

“The scope and size of this rock fall is extremely rare,” he added.

Amy Krause, a Parks Canada communications officer, said around 100 people participated in the rescue effort.

Masse confirmed that a rockslide took place in the same location in August, 2023.

That was a much smaller rockslide, he said that fell within the normal range for rockslides near water.

One hiker was in the area in the 2023 incident, hiking off-trail, and wasn’t struck by any rocks, he said. But he tripped and fell, sustaining minor injuries.

On Friday, a Parks Canada security spokesperson recommended that people who hike in remote areas that are outside cell phone coverage consider investing in a satellite communications device.

She said they received three notifications following Thursday’s rockslide, “which was helpful.”

- With files from Timm Bruch, CTV News