UPDATE: No injuries in Trans-Canada Highway avalanche | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kelowna News

UPDATE: No injuries in Trans-Canada Highway avalanche

An avalanche closed the Trans-Canada Highway today, March 17, 2019.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Denise Kinney-Bodenham

REVELSTOKE — The Trans-Canada Highway near Revelstoke is currently closed after an avalanche hit this afternoon.

A small natural avalanche occurred 46 km east of Revelstoke at about 1 p.m. today, March 17, the Ministry of Transportation says in a media release.

One vehicle was hit by the avalanche but it was not buried and no injuries were reported at the site.

Denise Kinney-Bodenham says she arrived at the scene shortly after the avalanche took place.

"There was a very steep cliff on the right side of the vehicle that they are so fortunate to not have gone over," she told reporters on social media.

The highway is closed as the vehicle is being recovered.

Avalanche control work is being done for 143 km between Highway 23 North and Highway 95.

Drive B.C. reports no detour is available. 

"Warming afternoons create increased avalanche risk at this time of year," the ministry's media release says. "The ministry continually monitors conditions and is actively conducting controls across the Service Area by Ministry Avalanche Technicians."

Avalanche Canada deemed the area a class "3" for "considerable risk" of avalanche for today.

Go to Drive B.C. to check road conditions.

—This story was updated on March 17, 2019 at 3:48 p.m. to include new information and a photo.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Shelby Thevenot or call (250) 819-6089 or email the editor You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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