The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a two men who died in an avalanche near McBride on March 21, 2015.

They were Curtis Fries (pronouncer: freess), aged 36, of Sherwood Park, Alberta, and Thomas Hamilton, aged 29, of Ponoka, Alberta.

Mr. Fries and Mr. Hamilton were two of a party of four who had travelled to the area near McBride to go snowmobiling. They were snowmobiling in an area known as the Dore River Basin on the morning of March 21 when a large avalanche struck, burying Mr. Fries and Mr. Hamilton.

Other members of the party were able to dig Mr. Fries out shortly afterward but he was not able to be resuscitated. Mr. Hamilton was recovered the next day once the area had been made safe for rescue workers.

The BC Coroners Service and RCMP continue to investigate these deaths.

The families of both men have been notified of their deaths. On behalf of members of the families, the BC Coroners Service asks that the media respect their privacy at this difficult time.

The BC Coroners Service would like to offer thanks to McBride and Jasper Search-and-Rescue, the long-line rescue team from Parks Canada, and the RCMP for their assistance in this difficult recovery operation.

For further information, please contact:

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