The five snowmobilers killed in an avalanche in northeastern British Columbia on Friday are men from Alberta between the ages of 41 and 55.

The BC Coroners Service released their identities on Saturday:

  • Tony Christopher Greenwood, 41, of Grande Prairie County
  • Todd William Chisholm, 47, of St. Albert
  • John Harold Garley, 49, of Stony Plain
  • Vincent Eugene Loewen, 52, of Vegreville
  • Ricky Robinson, 55, of Spruce Grove

The five men were among 17 people snowmobiling in four separate groups on Mount Renshaw, an area of trails about 20 kilometres east of McBride and near the Alberta border.

“I’ve been informed that this is unusual that there would be so many people gathered in one area,” said Cpl. John Grierson with the McBride RCMP. “This is rather a remote area. You wouldn’t commonly see 20 snowmobilers in this small area at one time.”

“We’re speaking of a vast recreational area.”

Rescue crews responded to a “large-scale” avalanche that hit the area around 1:30 p.m. Friday.

Seventeen people were either buried or caught in the avalanche path, according to the RCMP. Five men died on scene, while at least one other person is recovering from non-life threatening injuries.

Rod Whelpton, with the Robson Valley Search and Rescue team, was in the area at the time and responded to the avalanche.

Whelpton said the avalanche was approximately 700 metres wide and 800 metres long.

“I’ve pretty confident this is the worst one we’ve had in McBride,” said Dale Mason, also with the search and rescue team, speaking to the number of casualties.

Whelpton said the snowmobilers were prepared and began digging each other out of the snow immediately.

The rescue helicopters were also said to be quick to arrive on scene and flew out 11 people, including the deceased.

“Everybody did the right thing,” said Whelpton. “They did a great thing and a very speedy thing.”

The RCMP could not comment on the cause of the avalanche and said an investigation continues alongside the BC Coroners Service.

“This kind of thing affects local citizens. We’ve had an outpouring of support,” said Grierson.

Statement from Todd Chisholm's family provided to CTV News

"Todd had a passion for sledding in the mountains. He died too young doing what he enjoyed with his sledding buddies. Thanks to the four friends who were with Todd for their efforts. Todd will be sadly missed by his wife of 18 years, children, mother & father, brothers and sister, extended family, friends and community.

Todd enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and playing games with his children and wife.  He also enjoyed music, quading and playing drums with the band.

We ask that you give the family the time they need to grieve the loss of their loved one."

Condolences pour in

On Saturday, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and Conservative Interim Leader Rona Ambrose both offered their condolences to the victims of the avalanche.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the five who died yesterday in the Renshaw area," Ambrose said in a message on Twitter.

In his own message, Mulcair called the avalanche "heartbreaking."

"My thoughts are with those touched by this tragedy," he said.

Shirley Bond, the MLA for Prince George-Valemount and B.C. Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, also shared her sympathies and thanked the rescue crews for their work.

"This avalanche and the resulting loss of life is devastating news," she said in a statement. "It is a very sad day for all of us."

With files from CTV Vancouver