In Banff National Park, Alberta, a second body was discovered following a significant rockfall while hiking on Thursday. Among the deceased is Jutta Hinrichs, a 70-year-old retired educator from Calgary, known for her contributions to the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta. The incident occurred north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, approximately 124 miles from Calgary. Three other hikers were injured and hospitalized but are reported to be in stable condition. No additional missing persons have been reported, and no unidentified vehicles are present at the trailhead.
The trail, which runs along Bow Lake, is categorized as a moderate hike and attracts tourists, including families. Due to limited cellular service in the region, emergency communication can be challenging. Niclas Brundell, a local trail guide, was hiking the same area with his wife when they became alarmed by falling rocks and boulders. He described witnessing the initial rockfalls as shocking, followed by the entire mountainside collapsing, engulfing a nearby group of hikers in dust. Brundell compared the terrifying scene to watching footage from the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
After reaching safety, he sent a satellite message to Parks Canada, while his wife rushed to a lodge to call for emergency assistance. The popularity of the trail, often seen as a relatively easy hike, typically attracts numerous hikers daily during the summer months. As rescue and recovery efforts continue, the event serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent dangers in nature.
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