Nakusp RCMP and B.C. Coroners Service are investigating after a North Vancouver man fell to his death in the Kootenays.
The incident happened Wednesday afternoon while the Juergen Thomas Burjhardand, 54, a friend were hunting mountain goats on a steep mountainside.
According to the investigators, Burjhardand lost his footing in bad terrain and fell 150 metres down a cliff where he succumbed to his injuries. His hunting partner, a Vernon resident, called 9-1-1.
Arrow Lakes Search and Rescue volunteers were called in to help retrieve the man’s body but police called off the search due to darkness. They returned Thursday with a helicopter and long-line rescue team from Revelstoke.
“The terrain in the area was quite treacherous and slippery due to the cold weather. Foul play is not suspected,” an RCMP press release from Sgt. Darryl Little stated.
The coroner’s service and RCMP will continue to investigate the cause of death.
The Burjhardand family is being offered help from the North Vancouver RCMP’s victim services unit and has requested privacy.
