Massive rockfall at Bow Glacier Falls kills two and injures three. Parks Canada ends search after confirming no other victims.
Fatal Rockfall Strikes Popular Hiking Site
Two people were killed and three others injured in a massive rockfall that occurred Thursday, June 20, near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park. The area, a popular destination for hikers, was struck by a large slab of rock, prompting a major emergency response and search effort by Parks Canada and supporting agencies.
Incident Timeline and Emergency Response
The rockfall was first reported at approximately 1:30 p.m. when hikers near the falls were hit by debris. Emergency services, including Parks Canada, RCMP, STARS Air Ambulance, and local fire departments, quickly responded. One victim, a 70-year-old woman from Calgary, was pronounced dead at the scene. The body of a second victim was located Thursday afternoon by a canine search team but could only be recovered on Friday morning due to unstable conditions.
Victims Identified and Rescue Operation Ends
The deceased woman was identified as Jutta Hinrichs, a retired occupational therapist and former educator at the University of Alberta. Parks Canada stated on Friday morning that, following a thorough search using drones and thermal imaging, no further victims were found. No additional persons were reported missing, and no unattended vehicles were discovered at the Bow Lake trailhead.
Survivor Accounts Paint Harrowing Picture
Elly Jackson, a solo hiker from Calgary, narrowly escaped the rockfall while walking her dogs. She described hearing a loud cracking noise before seeing a massive slab collapse. “It looked like a multi-storey building falling,” she said. Jackson sprinted downhill, sustaining only minor injuries. After escaping, she joined other hikers in providing aid to the seriously injured.
Rockfall Considered Rare and Unpredictable
François Masse, Parks Canada superintendent for the area, stated the rockfall was caused by natural geological processes common to mountain regions. However, he emphasized that the scale of the collapse was rare and could not have been predicted or prevented. Rockfalls in the area are frequent, but usually involve smaller rock fragments.
Trail Status and Ongoing Safety Measures
Bow Glacier Falls, located southwest of Bow Lake and on the route to the Alpine Club of Canada’s Bow Hut, remains closed to the public due to ongoing instability. However, as of Friday morning, Bow Lake and the trail to Bow Hut have reopened. Masse said the affected area would remain off-limits for the foreseeable future to ensure public safety.
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