North Okanagan

Update: The BC Coroners Service has identified the deceased fallen hiker as Kelly Arthur Parisien, 23, of Regina, Saskatchewan.

A 23-yr-old man from Regina, Saskatchewan was killed after falling into the waterfalls in the Albas Falls Provincial Park near Seymour Arm, BC, on Tuesday.

Photo: Contributed - Travel iPod Member

Albas Falls, Shuswap BC

Shortly after 11:30 am, the Chase RCMP responded to a report of a man who had been fatally injured after slipping and falling into the waterfalls on the Albas River. The group from Saskatchewan had beached their houseboat on Shuswap Lake, to enjoy a hike to the nearby waterfalls.

Witness statements indicate that once near the top of the waterfalls, a number of people in the group ventured beyond a trail safety barrier in order to take photos. One man then went further and closer to the falls past a second barrier to another rock ledge. The lone male then turned to face the others in the group in preparation for a photo and slipped on the wet rock surface falling into the fast moving waters. The male was immediately swept away downstream and over a number of high waterfalls.

The group descended back down the trail to the bottom of the falls in attempt to rescue the man. They located the man unresponsive in the calmer pools at the foot of the falls, their efforts to revive the man by CPR and AR were unsuccessful.

Chase Detachment members, Victim Services were transported by RCMP Air Services helicopter to the area and hiked into the remote location to effect a recovery.

The BC Coroners Service, Shuswap Search and Rescue also attended the remote site and assisted with the recovery of the deceased man. BC Parks officials also attended the area in order to assess the incident.

The Chase RCMP continue to assist the BC Coroners Services in their investigation into the man’s death. No further information is being released at this time.