The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who died in an avalanche near Cherryville on March 8, 2014.

He was Adrian John (AJ) Cleary, aged 34, from Coldstream.

Mr. Cleary was one of a group of six persons who went snowmobiling in the Monashee Mountains, about 90 kilometres east of Vernon. At about 2:15 p.m., while the group was near the Keefer Lake Resort, an avalanche struck, burying Mr. Cleary under as much as five metres of snow. After Mr. Cleary was found and rescued, he was transported immediately to Kelowna General Hospital, but he was not able to be resuscitated.

The BC Coroners Service and RCMP continue to investigate this death.

The family of Mr. Cleary has been notified of his death. On behalf of family members, the Coroners Service asks that the media respect their privacy at this difficult time.

For further information, please contact:

Larry Marzinzik
Regional Coroner, Interior Region
BC Coroners Service
250 861-7429