Rockfall Near Bow Glacier Falls Leaves One Dead, Three Injured
A tragic rockfall near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park on June 19, 2025, has left one hiker dead and three others injured. The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. when a section of rock detached from the cliffs above the well-traveled hiking trail, impacting several groups of hikers in the area.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Halton police and Parks Canada responded quickly to the rockfall. They used drones, search dogs, and emergency teams to search for victims. Despite the challenging conditions, rescuers evacuated three injured hikers. One person went by ground ambulance, and STARS Air Ambulance flew two others to hospitals. Authorities haven’t disclosed their conditions, but they transported all three to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary.
Search operations are still ongoing. Authorities plan to continue until dark and resume the next day.
Hiker Describes Terrifying Escape
Niclas Brundell, a Canmore resident, was hiking with his wife when the rockfall happened. He described hearing the sound of rocks falling and immediately running to safety. “I was yelling at my wife, ‘Go, go, go! We need to run as fast as we can,’” he said. As they ran, he looked back and saw a cloud of dust and debris covering the area where other hikers had been.
“We just kept sprinting, and I couldn’t see the people behind us anymore,” Brundell said. “Rocks kept crashing down the mountainside.”
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Park Closure and No-Fly Zone
Following the rockfall, Bow Lake has been closed to the public. A no-fly zone has also been set up to protect both the rescue efforts and public safety. While Icefields Parkway remains open, drivers may face short delays near the area.
Public and Official Reactions
Parks Canada shared their condolences for those affected by the incident. Ron Hallman, the president and CEO of Parks Canada, said, “We are all heartbroken by the recent tragedy at Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park.”
Eleanor Olszewski, the Minister of Emergency Management, also expressed her concern. “My heart is with everyone affected by the rock slide near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff,” she said. “I am grateful to Parks Canada, STARS air ambulance, and all first responders.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy and expressed her support for everyone involved.
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Have you ever hiked in Banff National Park? What safety precautions do you think hikers should take in areas prone to rockfall?
More…
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/bow-lake-glacier-falls-rockslide-banff-alberta-hikers-1.7566196
- https://calgaryherald.com/news/rockslide-bow-glacier-falls-banff-national-park
- https://www.burnabynow.com/environment-news/one-dead-three-hurt-after-rockfall-hits-hiking-group-at-banff-national-park-10837176
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