backcountry skiier dies after avalanche

Police in Golden say a man was forced to leave his friend to die after the pair were caught in an avalanche in the Rocky Mountains Monday night.

The Golden RCMP says two backcountry skiiers were reported missing around 10 p.m. The two men, who had ventured out to the mountains southeast of Golden, were last heard from around 5:30 p.m.

“One of the men returned home and confirmed that his skiing companion, a 42-year-old man from Golden, B.C., had died due to an avalanche,” Mounties said Tuesday.

Police say the surviving man attempted to save his friend’s life, but the man died of his injuries.

“The surviving friend had to leave him at the location to ensure his own safe return.”

Search and rescue crews later used a helicopter to recover the man’s body.

Mounties say the BC Coroners Service is investigating.