Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - December 30, 2008, Winnipeg, Manitoba C m y k Page a3 f Ernie b. It began As a Holiday weekend snowmobile ride for 11 men Good friends who went to school together worked Side by Side in the Coal mines that Are the Lifeblood of their Community and in some cases were blood relatives. In a matter of minutes disaster struck. An Avalanche buried seven of the men. Four others heard their cries and rushed to the scene Only to themselves be swept under a second Avalanche As they frantically tried to Rescue their friends. On monday after a massive search Effort that was hampered by the Prospect of More avalanches and rough terrain rescuers made the grim discovery of seven bodies buried in Snow. One Man was still missing but presumed dead More than 24 hours after the Wall of Snow came tumbling Down. Three of the 11 were Able to dig themselves out and walk to safety sunday after making the anguished decision to leave family members and friends trapped rather than risk a third onslaught from the unstable slopes. It took the survivors 20 minutes to free themselves after the second slide hit. The three had Only minor physical injuries and were released after being treated at the local Hospital in Fernie a Short drive from the site of the avalanches. The memories will be difficult for the survivors to shake said David Wilks mayor of spa Wood the Small Coal mining Community North of Fernie where All 11 men lived and worked. They re very distraught that they we rent Able to stay and try and find or help their buddies but. One of them was injured and they Felt there was an imminent risk of another Avalanche coming Down he said. They had lost their gloves they had lost everything so they were starting to dig by hand. Rescuers who rushed to the Steep Rocky bowl like area found snowmobiles scattered like tossed toys a ski Here and a seat there sticking out above the Snow. The bodies Lay farther beneath the hard packed surface. The deepest was found under 3.5 metres of Snow the others about a metre deep said Chris Thomas president of Fernie search and Rescue. They were spread out Over 120 metres said Thomas. Three were located almost immediately because they were wearing a special Avalanche transceiver that emits an electronic signal. The other four were found by probe strikes their transceivers were not on or they were Likely in receive Mode As opposed to transmit Mode because they were looking for additional people. One of those who walked free told Wilks that the Wall of Snow caught them by Surprise. They were at the base of the Hill they had done some snowmobiling in the area. They we rent sledding at the time. They were just sitting at the Bottom of the Hill he said. It appears a Cornice let Loose an overhang on the top of the Mountain and buried them. As darkness and Snow fell in the Region 300 Kilometres Southwest of Calgary search efforts were called off for the Day. Thomas said officials would Monitor snowfall overnight and decide whether it was Safe this morning to go up after the one victim left behind. At a candlelight Vigil for the dead and missing monday evening in spa Wood Wilks said the men were Good Guys who were out doing what they loved when they died. Wilks read the first names of each Man involved including the three survivors. Police had not released the menus names As of monday night but the Globe and mail reported that those killed or missing were Danny Bjarnason Kurt Kabel Warren Rothel Kane Rusnak Leonard Stier Michael Stier Thomas Talarico and Blaine Wilson. The newspaper said the three survivors were Jeff Adams Jordan Drake and Jeremy Rusnak. The entire town is going to be crushed said Lana a longtime Friend of some of the men who did not want her last name published. It would be bad enough to heal after one. How do you heal after eight Lana said she has known one of the men Kurt Kabel since she was five years old. Avalanches Are a Well known danger to anyone who lives and works among the snowy peaks that ring the area known As Elk Valley. Safety courses Are offered frequently and weather warnings posted religiously. Many Coal miners who work the Mountainside mines Are trained in Avalanche safety and the popular Fernie Alpine resort often has to bomb Hills to release heavy heaps of Snow that would otherwise make runs unsafe. A similar bombing exercise had to take place near the Avalanche site on monday to make conditions Safe enough for rescuers to get to the scene. Cindy Corrigan mayor of Fernie said the men should not have attempted to snowmobile in the area on sunday. The Canadian Avalanche Centre had issued an advisory that Day warning of dangerous conditions and the Strong possibility of natural and human triggered avalanches. The conditions that weave got in the last few Days Are so severe that its a shame they decided to go into the Bac country Corrigan said. Searchers had to struggle through difficult terrain to retrieve the bodies. Some of the volunteers from the close knit communities could have known the men or their families said ramp Cpl. Chris Faulkner. They go up there with shovels said Faulkner. Its Tough even manoeuvring in that Type of Snow. The terrain is not stable to begin with. Walking is hard. Thomas who said he did not know any of the men involved became emotional when asked what it was like to pull bodies from the Snow. I think the initial victim that i saw was a Little difficult he said his voice wavering. Immediate families of most of the eight men were congregated together supporting each other Faulkner said. The Canadian press with files from can West news service Calgary b. Detail u. S. S a s k. A l t a. Cranbrook Kelowna the Canadian press b. Alta. 20 pm Fernie spa Wood Flathead Coleman snowmobiles buried by avalanches 3 93 correction notice st. Maryus Nursery and Garden Centre will not be open on december 31, 2008 As stated in our and in the Winnipeg free press on sunday december 21, 2008. We apologize for any inconvenience this May cause. 200 Highway # 12 a Steinbach my 1 866 364 5654 payments based on 84 months 7.99% interest Mac. Manufacturers warranty 30 Day 2500 pm no hassle Exchange privilege 150 Point inspections 24 hour Roadside assistance 2008 Chevrolet Malibu is Ems starting at 16,000, 2.2 4 cyl., at a tilt cruise pm pal Remote keyless entry cd player great fuel Economy from the North american 2008 car of the year 2 to choose from 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt it Sedan 2.2 4 cyl., at a tilt cruise pm pal Abs traction control Remote keyless entry 30,000 Ems. 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Charges could be upgraded if the victims condition deteriorates. The Man was also wanted on outstanding arrest warrants and is being held in custody. The incident happened dec. 16 in a downtown Winnipeg apartment but was not released publicly by police. However const. Jason Michalyshin confirmed the incident monday when questioned by the free press. Michalyshin said the baby is expected to survive but provide any additional information about the nature of his trauma. A source told the free press there Are fears the child will suffer Long term medical issues As a result. The child suffered serious injuries no question. We typically dont release information on these matters As it is very sensitive he said. Police Arentt releasing the name of the accused to protect the identity of the victim. Its not known if child and family services had any prior Contact with the family leading up to the incident. Shaken baby syndrome occurs when a baby is shaken with enough Force to Rock its head Back and Forth causing significant brain damage. Signs of trauma include drowsiness bruising on the arms and shoulders seizures a swollen Scalp Haemorrhaging in the Back of the eyes profound Limp Ness and comas. Most victims Are under one year old. They Are at risk of serious injury because their Heads Are Large in relation to the rest of their bodies and their neck Muscles Are weak. Between 1990 and 2004, 28 children died of shaken baby syndrome at the hands of caregivers in Manitoba according to statistics presented during previous court hearings. In 2001, a nationwide statement warned shaken baby syndrome Likely claims an untold number of infants in Canada. The True number of cases is believed to be underestimated or misdiagnosed said the statement endorsed by eight different agencies ranging from lawyers to police As Well As doctors and health care advocates. Wow. Mikeo crime. Com father accused of attack on infant by Mike Mcintyre slide warning ignored survivors forced to leave their buddies buried in Mountain of Snow by Shannon Montgomery Jonathan Hayward / the Canadian press mourners gather at a candlelight Vigil in spa Wood b. C., monday to remember eight men believed to have died on snowmobile Outing South of Fernie b. 1. Spa Wood mayor David Wilks says tragedy begins when one snowmobiler gets stuck in a bowl on the slope two others come to his Aid. 2. An Avalanche buries the three. 3. One of the three escapes As another group arrives to assist. 4. A second Avalanche buries All 11 men from the two groups. 5. Three of the men Are not far from the surface. One Breaks free and digs out a Friend. 6. A third member of the group cries out and the two who Are free begin digging him out. 7. While they Are digging an overhang of Snow on the Side of a Mountain Breaks bringing More Snow crashing Down. The two men run for safety while the third is buried again. 8. The two return and dig out the third Man after 15 or 20 minutes. 9. The three men notice another overhang above that appears to be dangerous. They decide against further Rescue efforts and set out on foot towards Fernie. 10. About 10 minutes after they leave the scene they see a fourth overhang fall bringing More Snow Down. The Canadian press How Nightmare on slopes unfolded a _ 03_ dec 30 08. Ind a3 1 2/ 29/ 08 10 27 47 pm ;