Meachen Creek Falls (YouTube)
The Kimberley RCMP have confirmed the recovery of the third and final hiker involved in a fall at Meachen Creek Falls on Sept. 1. All three individuals, Mexican citizens, are now confirmed deceased.
The incident began when Kimberley RCMP were alerted by a GPS distress signal shortly after 10 a.m. on Sept. 1. The signal indicated that a party of three hikers had gone over the treacherous waterfall.
Frontline officers were immediately dispatched to the remote location. Upon arrival, they were able to locate one of the hikers approximately halfway down the cascade. The individual, identified as a 68-year-old woman, was deceased. The extreme and dangerous terrain prevented the immediate location of her two companions.
A large-scale, multi-agency search operation was launched, involving Kimberley Search and Rescue, Bighorn Helicopters, the RCMP’s Police Dog Services, Drone Operations, and later, the RCMP Dive Team.
On Sept. 3 the search efforts led to the discovery of a second hiker. She was identified as a 35-year-old woman. Recovery teams successfully retrieved her body that day.
After days of persistent searching in difficult conditions, the third hiker, a 35-year-old man, was located deceased on Sept. 7. Efforts to conduct a technical recovery of his remains are ongoing.
The RCMP have said that the deaths are not considered suspicious and are believed to be a tragic accident.
All three people were Mexican Citizens.
Kimberley RCMP are thankful for the efforts of everyone involved in the recovery of the hikers including Kimberly RCMP frontline members, RCMP Police Dog Services, RCMP Drone Operations, RCMP Dive Team, BC Ambulance and BC Coroners Service, Victim Services, Big Horn Helicopters and the many teams of Search and Rescue members. Their efforts and skill have been appreciated by visiting members of the deceased family.
