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Fatal crash sparks safety fears over night snowmobiling in Whistler
Sunday, 05 Jan, 2016
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Amid safety fears over snowmobiling tours at night after an Australian tourist died, a Whistler winter sports tour operator has defended its safety record.
A 65-year-old Australian tourist died when he smashed into a tree on Blackcomb Mountain late New Years Day.
Craig Beattie, general manager of Canadian Wilderness Adventures, said it was the company’s first fatal accident for more than 20 years.
All riders on the Blackcomb Mountain tour are given prior instruction and headlights provide sufficient lighting on the trail, Beattie said.
"They are given an in depth five to ten minute safety speech and orientation on the snowmobile, like how to operate it and what to expect while on the trail. There are strict rules and regulations for snowmobile speeds and for what we can and cannot do."
"The machine he was riding was a 600 Ace Bombardier, with a maximum 60 horse power. Not a big rocket machine, by any means," Beattie said, adding that the group was going much slower than the permitted 40 kilometres an hour speed limit.
"He was able to find his way up and down the mountain without any incidents. He did good a job while we were practicing different aspects along the way."
The dead man plunged over an embankment before hitting a tree midway through the tour at about 11.30pm.
The man’s wife who was riding as a passenger was taken to hospital in North Vancouver for treatment.
The incident is being investigated by Whistler RCMP and the British Columbia Coroners Service.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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