A North Vancouver father and daughter are dead after a tragic camping incident in Whistler during the weekend.
Trevor Norman, 49 and his 10-year-old daughter Zarah died after their tent was crushed by a falling boulder, likely on Saturday night.
Searchers fanned out over the area of Blackcomb Mountain on Sunday evening when the pair failed to check in after a backcountry ski trip. Using a helicopter and ground crews, volunteers set out again early Monday morning in an area known as the Wind Lip at the edge of the Blackcomb glacier.
The tent was there. Both people were inside, both deceased. At some point while they were in that tent, presumably Saturday night, a large boulder had fallen from the rock face on the tent, killing both of them, said Sgt. Rob Knapton, Whistler RCMP spokesman.
The campers were experienced and well equipped for the trip Knapton said.
Theres always some inherent risk involved and its an unfortunate turn of events that caused this, he said. Its not that anyone here did anything they werent supposed to do. When I talk to people who are experienced in backcountry skiing, they describe this as a perfect area to go camping.
The B.C. Coroners Service confirmed the deceaseds identities Tuesday afternoon. Zarah was a Grade 5 student at Dorothy Lynas elementary in the Indian River area of Seymour, the North Vancouver school district has confirmed.
The counsellors with the school districts critical incident team are present at the school and available to assist students individually or in small groups with any feelings of grief they may be dealing with, said Victoria Miles, communications officer.
The school also sent a letter home to parents and guardians Monday, informing them of the incident and giving suggestions on how they might broach the news with the children.
North Vancouver RCMP victims services section is assisting the victims family members, who have asked for privacy.
