A Surrey snowshoer who went missing in the backcountry of Mt. Seymour has been found dead.
Remi Michalowski, 39, had been missing since Monday (Feb. 18), when an avalanche hit him and a friend while out on an overnight trip. His friend, a 30-year-old man, was able to cling to a tree and call 911, before being rescued by search crews.
North Shore Rescue’s Mike Danks confirmed Michalowski’s body was found around 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 20).
“Our condolences go out to the family. This has to be a very challenging thing to lose a son. I’m just thankful we were able to provide closure,” said Danks.
“It was a lot of effort I think they searched that debris for more than a couple hours there,” said Danks of the recovery effort.
Rescuers were forced to take a break in their search on Tuesday, due to a snowstorm, but resumed their efforts Wednesday.
North Shore Rescue said on Facebook Wednesday that their long-line team were waiting on stand-by as Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog teams and Canadian Avalanche Association personnel scoured the mountainside.
@NSRescue I've read reports that you have resumed looking for the missing Surrey man, after calling off the search yesterday due to weather. Can you confirm?
— Amy Marie Reid (@amyreid87) February 20, 2019
. @NSRescue says it will be resuming their search on Mount Seymour for Surrey man Remi Michalowski. He has been missing since Monday when he was caught in an avalanche while snowshoeing. (Photos from NSRESCUE, Facebook) pic.twitter.com/dwLP2XBpY5
— Ashley Wadhwani-Smith (WAHD-WAH-NEE) (@ashwadhwani) February 20, 2019
The avalanche danger remains considerable. Temperatures are predicted to increase during the day, North Shore Rescue said, and avalanche danger in the area will be monitored carefully.
READ MORE: Searchers scour mountain for Surrey man caught in avalanche
With files from The Canadian Press
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