Five Alberta residents died in the avalanche near McBride

The B.C. Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of five men who died in an avalanche near McBride on Friday. All five were from Alberta, and ranged in age from 41 to 55.

They are:
* Vincent Eugene Loewen, aged 52, of Vegreville, Alberta.
* Tony Christopher Greenwood, aged 41, of Grand Prairie County, Alberta.
* Ricky Robinson, aged 55, of Spruce Grove, Alberta.
* Todd William Chisholm, aged 47, of St. Albert, Alberta.
* John Harold Garley, aged 49, of Stony Plain, Alberta.

The five were among 17 persons who were snowmobiling in four separate groups in the Renshaw area, a large mapped area of snowmobile trails about 20 km east of McBride on Jan. 29, 2016, when, about 1:30 p.m. they were caught in a large avalanche that hit the area. All were deceased on the scene.

The BC Coroners Service and RCMP continue to investigate these deaths. The Coroners Service has ordered the Renshaw snowmobiling area closed until a certified avalanche technician retained by the service has completed an investigation of the scene.

The families of all five men have been notified of their deaths. On behalf of family members, the BC Coroners Service asks that the media respect their privacy at this difficult time.

The BC Coroners Service would like to extend special thanks to the Robson Valley Search and Rescue team for their invaluable assistance in this incident.