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8 Missing in Canadian Avalanche
11 initially buried; 3 manage escape
By Matt Cantor
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Posted Dec 29, 08 9:34 AM CST
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(Newser)
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Eight snowmobilers are missing after a British Columbia avalanche buried 11 men, the Vancouver Sun reports. Seven were swamped by an initial avalanche; amid a rescue attempt, the other four were buried. Two men pulled themselves to the surface and were able to save one comrade with the help of the avalanche beacons all were wearing. The trio left on foot for fear of a third onslaught.
The three were rescued by emergency workers and taken to a hospital with minor injuries; two have been released. A search for the missing eight was suspended last night because of dangerous conditions and is set to resume this morning. “It's pretty rugged terrain” in the popular snowmobiling area, “and it’s a big basin,” said a local snowmobile expert. “If it breaks loose, a lot of snow's going to come down.”