The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a woman who died in Merritt on March 15, 2015.

She was Mildred Jeannette Mitchell, aged 83, of Merritt.

On March 14, 2015, Ms. Mitchell and a friend were driving on the Maka Murray Forest Service Road about 20 km from Merritt when their car became stuck in mud at about 3 p.m. The two attempted to walk out to get help, but Ms. Mitchell suffered a fall, ending up in the bottom of a ditch. The pair were eventually found by RCMP on the roadway at about 2:30 a.m. on March 15, 2015. Ms. Mitchell, who was in medical distress, was rushed to Nicola Valley Hospital in Merritt, but died before reaching hospital. Temperatures overnight in Merritt had dipped as low as 1.6 degrees Celsius.

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

The family of Ms. Mitchell has been notified of her death. On behalf of the family, the BC 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