One of several photos of the Hope Slide released Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, by the B.C. Ministry of Transportation that was taken shortly after the incident in January, 1965. | Credit: B.C. Ministry of Transportation

iN PHOTOS: Province releases never before seen images of Hope Slide

The Ministry of Transportation marked the 55th anniversary of the Hope slide today with the release of a number of never before seen photographs of the disaster.

It was in the early morning hours of Saturday, Jan. 9, 1965, when a portion of Johnson Mountain collapsed, sending an estimated 50 million cubic metres of rock, mud and debris into the valley below, burying almost three miles of Highway 3 up to 500 feet deep.

The slide killed four people, closing the highway for nearly two weeks.

The photos of the devastation as well as search and rescue efforts were taken shortly after the slide. The ministry believes most of the images have never been shown publicly before.

For more on the Hope Slide go here.

Helicopter pilots flew supplies and materials in and out of the debris field in the days immediately following the slide. B.C. Ministry of Transportation

Workers drill rocks in ongoing efforts to reopen the highway after the slide. | Credit: B.C. Ministry of Transportation

Dump trucks wheel away vast quantities of mud. | Credit: B.C. Ministry of Transportation

Working together to literally move a mountain. | Credit: B.C. Ministry of Transportation

Aerial photograph showing Highway 3 disappearing in the debris | Credit: B.C. Ministry of Transportation

Rescue workers search for victims in the rubble near the remains of a tanker truck caught in the onslaught. | Credit: B.C. Ministry of Transportation

Construction continues to reopen Highway 3 after the Hope Slide. | Credit: B.C. Ministry of Transportation

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Steve Arstad

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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