Rescue crews find body of snowmobiler missing after avalanche in Kimberley, B.C.

VANCOUVER – Kimberley search and rescuers have found the body of a snowmobiler who was caught in an avalanche in a popular backcountry ski area.

Search and rescue president Peter Reid says the man’s body was found shortly after noon, under about 1.5 metres of snow.

Reid says crews are in the process of removing the body, which will be handed over to the coroner’s service.

The victim’s name will not be released until his family has been notified.

Reid says more than 70 people and two avalanche dogs were involved with the search, from communities such as Fernie, Cranbrook, Golden and Invermere.

He says the area west of Kimberley up the Hell Roaring Road is well known for avalanches, including one last year and another that claimed the life of a local snowmobiler a few years back.