Chilliwack Search and Rescue was requested to support Hope Search and Rescue to support three back-country travellers who were caught in an avalanche in the Coquihalla region recently. (Image Credit: Chilliwack Search and Rescue / Facebook)

By Fraser Valley Today staff

Back Country rescue

Three people caught in Coquihalla avalanche – two injured

Mar 24, 2026 | 5:23 AM

CHILLIWACK, B.C. — Chilliwack Search and Rescue says two people were injured after a large avalanche in the Coquihalla corridor that triggered a search-and-rescue response involving multiple groups. More information was released in a social media post this week.

The organization said it was requested to provide mutual aid to Hope Search and Rescue for an avalanche incident in the backcountry near Thar Couloir on February 28.

Search and rescue officials said a group of three splitboarders were boot-packing up a steep slope when they triggered the avalanche. All three people were caught in the slide and partially buried.

The group was able to free themselves and call for help, but two members of the party were injured.

Hope Search and Rescue and Chilliwack Search and Rescue members assessed the injured subjects at the scene, provided treatment and prepared them for transport out of the area.

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In the social media post on March 23, Chilliwack Search and Rescue thanked Valley Helicopters for assisting with access to the site and the transportation of the injured, as well as avalanche technicians from the B.C. Ministry of Transportation for providing on-site avalanche assessment and operational support.

Chilliwack Search and Rescue said the incident highlights the importance of checking conditions before heading into the backcountry. Outdoor users can check the daily avalanche forecast at Avalanche Canada before travelling in avalanche terrain.