On January 22 a devastating incident unfolded in the Skeena Mountains just 30km north of Terrace in British Columbia Canada. A helicopter, en route with a group of enthusiastic heli-skiers, tragically crashed. Among the seven individuals aboard, three tragically lost their lives, while four others sustained serious injuries. As of Monday night, the four survivors were in critical but stable condition, fighting for their recovery.
This unfortunate event occurred during a day when three helicopters were transporting skiers into the mountains. Local sources suggest that adverse weather conditions might have played a role although the precise cause of the accident remains shrouded in uncertainty. The community is left grappling with the aftermath of this tragedy seeking answers and sending heartfelt support to those affected.
A Sporting Family
A profound tragedy has befallen prominent families from South Tyrol, Italy. Among the victims is 29-year-old Heiner Oberrauch Jr., the son of the esteemed founder of Sportler, an Italian sporting goods chain. Tragically, Heiner lost his life, while his older brother, Jakob Oberrauch, the 34-year-old CEO of Sportler, sustained serious injuries in the helicopter crash.
Additionally, the devastating incident claimed the life of 35-year-old Andreas Widmann, a member of the family that owns TEXmarket, a renowned textile company specializing in cycling apparel. The loss extends beyond borders, as the Canadian pilot of the helicopter also perished.
Surviving this harrowing ordeal are Jakob Oberrauch, Johannes Peer (34), the financial director of the Sportler Group, Emilio Zierock from the esteemed South Tyrolean winery Foradori, and a dedicated ski guide. Emergency services worked tirelessly to transfer them to Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace.
The rescue operation presented immense challenges. The crashed helicopter’s black box malfunctioned, and rescuers spent nearly three hours scouring a snowfield to locate the survivors. Remarkably, Jakob Oberracuh utilized the miraculously working radio in the wreckage to guide emergency services in the darkness.
As of the latest update, a dedicated search team is persistently working to retrieve the bodies of those who tragically lost their lives from the mountain, underscoring the gravity of this heart-wrenching incident that has deeply affected these families and left the community in mourning.
Source: ExplorersWeb
1 comment
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