Kinsley family mourns the death of two brothers killed in skiing accident in British Columbia

The Kinsley family is mourning the death of brothers Jonathan and Timothy, who were killed during a skiing trip in British Columbia, according to a statement from the family.

The brothers died Monday after being caught in an avalanche during a backcountry heli-skiing trip near Revelstoke, B.C., according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They were flown to a hospital but efforts to save their lives were unsuccessful. A third person, a guide, remains in serious condition.

The RCMP said the avalanche occurred near Alkolkolex on Mount McCrae in an area known as "Chocolate Bunnies." Revelstoke is a small mountain town - population about 8,275 - in eastern British Columbia, about midway between Vancouver and Calgary known for its winter sports.

"Immediate action was taken on scene by all involved to locate the victims, provide first aid and transport by helicopter to hospital. Ultimately, the efforts to save the lives of the two skiers were unsuccessful," Revelstoke RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt. Chris Dodds said in a statement.

The brothers' deaths came as an agency that tracks avalanches conditions has warned of dangerous conditions in the mountains in British Columbia.

The Kinsley family has left an imprint on York County as one of the most influential business leaders in the community. Jonathan Kinsley was an executive of Kinsley Enterprises. Timothy Kinsley was president of Kinsley Properties.

The Kinsley family issued a statement Tuesday evening:

"We are deeply heartbroken to share news of the sudden and tragic passing of Jonathan Kinsley, an executive of Kinsley Enterprises, and his brother, Timothy Kinsley, president of Kinsley Properties, while on a skiing trip in British Columbia. Our entire Kinsley family is still processing this heartbreaking news of their deaths and respectfully ask for privacy at this time. We know their presence as dedicated leaders in our organization and the community will be immensely missed by many and we are grateful for your love, understanding and prayers as our entire Kinsley family manages this loss."

Related:Meet York County's Most Influential People for 2022: Business

CMH Heli-Skiing, the company that hosted the brothers on the trip, issued a statement that the accident happened around 2:46 p.m. Monday. Three individuals − two guests and a guide − were caught in the avalanche.

"The thousands of guests who ski with us each winter are our family. It is impossible to put into words the sorrow that we feel and the sadness that is shared by our guests, their families and all of our staff," the company said in the statement.

Selina McNamara, communications manager for CMH, wrote in an email that the company's internationally certified mountain guides "are continually monitoring the evolution of the snowpack from the start of the season and make daily observations on weather and snowpack to aid in their assessment of the snow stability."

The company works closely with Avalanche Canada throughout the season and provides the agency its findings to assist in forecasting avalanches.

"We are constantly monitoring, studying, exchanging and reviewing information to ensure informed decision-making," McNamara wrote. "Unfortunately, no one can predict 100 percent of the time when an avalanche will occur. There are risks inherent with our business and we do our utmost to manage these risks.

"Avalanches can occur in the mountains throughout the winter season. Our highly trained and experienced team of guides works diligently every day to determine where it’s safest to ski given the current conditions. We also equip and train all guests in the use of safety equipment including avalanche equipment."

The company "has a very comprehensive safety regime in place" and has been developing safety guidelines for more than 58 years, "working with leading experts from various backgrounds including guides, mountain rescue and safety specialists, avalanche forecasters, and snow science specialists."

The Kinsley brothers are among five people who have perished in avalanches in British Columbia's backcountry so far this year. The Avalanche Canada Foundation, an agency that tracks snow conditions, reported that an extended drought in 2022 created a weak snowpack this winter, conditions that are seen only every 10 or 20 years. Avalanche Canada reported five fatalities caused by avalanches in British Columbia in all of 2022.

“Being caught in an avalanche is a life-threatening situation that has already claimed five lives in British Columbia this year,” Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, said in a statement. “Avalanche Canada continues to forecast dangerous snowpack and we’re urging everyone to exercise heightened levels of caution and vigilance in the backcountry this season. This year’s snowpack is being compared to 2003, which was one of the worst years for avalanche fatalities."

In 2003, Avalanche Canada reported, 29 people died as a result of avalanches in western Canada.

Avalanche Canada reports that "a deep, persistent slab avalanche problem... is causing very dangerous and highly unpredictable avalanche conditions." The agency has encouraged people to stay away from steep slopes and terrain.

In the past 10 years, the province of British Columbia reported, 73 percent of all Canadian avalanche fatalities occurred in the province.

Check back later as this is a developing story.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: York County businessmen Jon and Tim Kinsley killed in skiing accident