Blackcomb Peak snowmobile victim was Australian, tour company says
65-year-old driver died when snowmobile hit a tree; 54-year-old female passenger injured
A snowmobiler who was killed on Blackcomb Peak in Whistler was on a New Year's tour when he crashed and hit a tree, according to a statement from the tour company.
The victim was a 65-year-old Australian man, said a statement from the Canadian Wilderness Adventures. A 54-year-old passenger was injured in the accident, which occurred at about 11 p.m. PT on Jan. 1.
According to the statement, the man lost control of his snowmobile as the tour was descending Blackcomb Peak. He lost control of the vehicle, left the track and hit a tree.
The tour's staff and a nursing student on the tour provided first aid but paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene. The female passenger was taken to Lions Gate Hospital.
In the statement, the tour group expressed condolences to the victim's family and friends "for this sad loss."
The wilderness adventure company takes customers into the region's backcountry on day and evening outings.
The death is under investigation by the BC Coroners Service.
"Everything is very preliminary at this point, the service's Barbara McLintock said in an email on Saturday. "Can confirm though that no avalanche involved."