A pair of church services in Sparwood marked the end of the search for all 8 snowmobilers killed in Sunday's avalanche near Fernie.
Mayor of Cranbrook, Scott Manjak, can't remember the last time a tragedy like this struck so close to home. Manjak says southeast British Columbia stands as one community and Cranbrook is ready to assist, in any manner, the community of Sparwood.
Sparwood Mayor David Wilks is thanking everyone who supported the community through this tragedy. A pair of trust funds have been set up, one at the CIBC in Sparwood, the other at Royal Bank of Canada for the families of the victims.
CIBC - (250) 423-4426
Transit No. - 03070
Branch No. - 010
Account No. - 7573138
Royal Bank of Canada - (250) 425-3360
Transit No. - 5090
Branch No. - 003
Account No. - 5077425
The eight victims are Kurt Kabel (28), Warren Rothel (33), Kane Rusnak (30), Michael Stier (20), Thomas Talarico (32), Blayne Wilson (26), and Leonard Stier (45) and now Danny Bjarnsan (28) all from Sparwood.
Funerals for all eight men are expected to be held next week. A Community service will be held at the Sparwood Rec Center arena on Sunday at 11:00
Originally, 11 people were caught in the avalanche when it happened. Three of the snowmobilers managed to dig themselves out without much injury.
