Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Rare Rockslide at Bow Glacier Falls Kills Two Hikers and Injures Three

After recovering a second body, geotechnical teams have begun assessing slope stability to guide future safety measures in the park.

Image
Tourists walk around Bow Lake on Friday, June 20, 2025, near Bow Glacier Falls, seen in background, where a rock slide, light grey area on cliff face, killed two hikers and injured three more Thursday, north of Lake Louise, Alta., in Banff National Park. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
An image showing the rockslide at Bow Glacier Falls trail in Banff National Park on June 19, 2025, taken by a hiker in the area.
Undated photo of Bow Lake and Crowfoot Mountain in Banff National Park.

Overview

  • Rescue crews, including Canada Task Force Two and infrared-equipped aircraft, recovered a second body and confirmed no additional hikers were missing.
  • Three injured hikers were airlifted to Calgary hospitals by STARS Air Ambulance and are reported to be in stable condition.
  • Parks Canada has closed the Bow Glacier Falls trail and imposed a no-fly zone to secure the site and protect visitors.
  • Officials described the rockslide as an extremely rare and unpredictable event that detached a large section of the mountainside.
  • One victim was identified as Jutta Hinrichs, a 70-year-old retired occupational therapist from Calgary, while the second victim’s identity has not been released.