Teen killed in fatal fall from cliff not using climbing gear: RCMP

VERNON – It looks like an 18-year-old wasn’t using any safety equipment when he decided to go rock climbing and wound up taking a fatal fall from a rock face near Vernon on the weekend.

The teenager, who has yet to be identified, was camping with three friends when the group decided to go rock climbing in the King Edward Forest Service Road area April 11, RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says.

“Indications are he was not using safety equipment. He lost his balance and fell approximately 35 to 45 feet,” Molendyk says. “Early indications are he suffered severe head injuries that may have contributed to his death.”

Police and B.C. Ambulance were called at 7:30 p.m. and the teen was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are looking into whether drugs or alcohol may have played a role in the accident. The Kind Edward Forest Service Road area is a known party spot, and Molendyk says there is evidence of liquor at the scene. But whether it was there already, or if it was involved in the lead up to the accident, is unknown.

The teen lives in the Lower Mainland, but has family in the Vernon area.

Police and the B.C. Coroners Service continue to investigate the death.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.