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A non-profit mountain guide association is being sued by the widow of an Alberta man, who alleges the group ignored avalanche warnings.
Sheila Churchill and her husband Douglas were among 13 people skiing about 50 kilometers northwest from Golden on February 2016 when an avalanche struck.
Churchill’s statement of claim, filed in BC Supreme Court, says that five people – including her husband – were completely buried under the snow following the catastrophe. Douglas later died from complications, while Sheila sustained grievous injuries.
Two years after her ordeal, Sheila is now suing those she holds liable to the tragedy for negligence, breach of fiduciary duties and breach of contract.
Her claim names three employees of the non-profit Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, as well as the lodge operator, Golden Alpine Holiday, as defendants. Churchill lodged a number of claims against the defendants, including that they ignored avalanche predictions and failed to exercise reasonable care.
The Canadian Press reported that none of the allegations have been proven in court. The defendants also have yet to file a statement of defense in the action.
The defendants were not immediately available for comment. Similarly, the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides declined to comment, noting that the case is now before the courts.
