The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who died in an avalanche near Blue River on March 15, 2014.

The man is Jay Quayle, aged 35, of Lloydminster, Saskatchewan.

Mr. Quayle was one of a party of seven who had travelled to the Monashee Mountains near Blue River to go snowmobiling. They were snowmobiling in an area known as Red Sands/Duffy's when Mr. Quayle and one other member of the party were caught up in an avalanche. Other members of the party were able to rescue the other man, uninjured, but Mr. Quayle was recovered from under three metres of snow, and was unable to be resuscitated.

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

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

Media Contact:

Donita Kuzma
Regional Coroner, Northern Region
BC Coroners Service
250 565-6040