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.

iN PHOTOS: Province releases never before seen images of Hope Slide | iNFOnews.ca — 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

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