Submitted by Robson Valley RCMP
In an effort to better keep the community informed the Robson Valley Regional RCMP will be providing weekly press releases to the local papers. The list is not inclusive of all calls of service the local RCMP detachments receive, but provides a cross section of what is happening in the Robson Valley.
On January 6, 2014 McBride RCMP received a report of a suspicious male sleeping in a mud room of an apartment building. Police attended and spoke with the male who was in McBride as he was scheduled for Court later in the week. The male had wanted to stay with a friend in the apartment building, but he was not home. He stayed in the mud room to keep warm and no criminal activity was suspected. The male voluntarily left the apartments.
On January 8, 2014 Valemount RCMP were called to a report of a fatal collision on Hwy 16 approximately 40 km east of Tete Jaune. Police attended with BC Ambulance and Fire/Rescue from both Valemount and Jasper. A North District Traffic Reconstructionist attended and surveyed the scene and several parties were interviewed. An east bound minivan lost control after passing an east bound semi and was struck by a west bound semi. Two children ages 3 and 6 were deceased at the scene and the male driver and other 3-year-old passenger were transported to Jasper hospital. The female was successfully extricated from the vehicle and also transported to Jasper hospital. The male succumbed to his injuries en route to hospital and the female and 3 year old child were air lifted to Edmonton hospital where they continue to recover from the injuries.
On January 10, 2014 McBride RCMP received a report of an incident between two male youths. The matter is still under investigation and breach charges may be pending.
On January 11, 2014 McBride RCMP stopped a vehicle which failed to stop at a stop sign. The driver had an odour of liquor on his breath and slurred speech. A demand was made to provide a breath sample into an Approved Screening Device and the driver, a 35-year-old Red Deer male, blew a “WARN” indicating that his Blood Alcohol Level was between .06 and .10 and unsafe to be operating a motor vehicle. A second “WARN” sample was obtained and the male was issued a 3 day driving prohibition. The driver was also issued a violation ticket for disobeying the stop sign.
On January 10, 2014 a McBride male failed to appear Court as per his Promise to Appear. Charges of failing to appear are pending.
On January 10, 2014 Valemount RCMP received information from a concerned person that they had not seen their neighbor in several days. Police attended and were able to confirm that everyone was OK.
On January 11, 2014 Valemount RCMP were notified of a truck left at a local snowmobile pull out. The complainant feared that some snowmobilers may be stranded on the mountain. Police conducted enquiries and learned that the truck belonged to a local trapper who routinely went into the back country for days and was well equipped with means of calling for assistance via SPOT should he be in trouble.
On January 12, 2014 Valemount RCMP were called to a local drinking establishment after a male was allegedly attempting to pick a fight. Police attended and located the male outside of the bar. He provided police with his particulars and his side of the story. The male was transported back to his hotel and placed in the care of his friends for the evening to sober up. As no physical assault occurred no charges are being considered at this time.
On January 12, 2014 McBride RCMP received a report of two overdue snowmobilers on Lucille Mountain. RCMP activated Robson Valley Search & Rescue who conducted patrols to the Lucille cabin, but did not locate the 19- and 20-year-old Spruce Grove males or any tracks as they have been covered by snow. Based on reports from friends that saw the two earlier in the day, SAR had a good idea where the males were and believed they had dropped down into the Dore River area. The next morning Robson Valley SAR, in a helicopter, located the males in the Dore area. The helicopter landed as close to the males as possible and SAR hiked in on snow shoes and walked the males to the helicopter and then returned them to the parking lot with no injuries.
On January 12, 2014 Valemount RCMP received a report of two overdue snowmobilers at Allen Creek. RCMP activated Robson Valley Search & Rescue. A 33-year-old Prince George male and a 33-year-old Calgary male had dropped into a bowl near the cabin and could not get out. Both were well prepared and had good equipment including radios and were able to communicate to their friends that they would build a shelter for the evening. The next morning SAR, with the assistance of Jasper National Park Safety Specialists, air lifted both males via long line to the cabin where the helicopter landed and then transported both uninjured males back the parking lot.
On January 13, 2014 at 9:30 am Valemount RCMP received a report of an avalanche on Shale Hill, east of Mt. Robson. Initial reports were the slide was 400 m wide and blocking the highway. Police attended and determined that the avalanche was only 40 m wide and about 2 feet deep and that no vehicles were involved. The highway was impassible and closed in both directions. Police evacuated vehicles on both sides of the slide with the assistance of Jasper RCMP due to the risk of additional slides and for avalanche control to take place. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure attended with an avalanche technician and several controlled slides were initiated to bring down additional avalanche risks prior to road crews entering the area to begin clean up. The highway was re-opened to traffic in both directions at 6:00 pm.
