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Hikers and tourists were sent scrambling Saturday afternoon when a section of rock wall broke off beside Bow Glacier Falls and crashed down the mountainside.
Luckily, much of the debris was stopped by a ledge.
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Several people suffered cuts and bruises, but a tourist from Israel broke her arm or shoulder when she fell while running to escape. Irit Frogel, who is vacationing in Canada with her husband Shai, was airlifted from the falls, located about half an hour north of Lake Louise on Highway 93.
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“She went into shock. She was in so much pain,” said Julie Paterson, who narrowly escaped injury along with her husband Steve.
“There were big pieces of rock coming down around us,” she said, gesturing with her hands to show the size of a football. “I ended up with a piece in my pocket.”
“I thought we were toast,” added her husband.
The couple, visiting Banff and area from Los Angeles, immediately helped the injured woman and her husband.
“She went into shock. She was hysterical from so much pain. I told her husband we had to move her; we were still in a danger area,” said Steve.
They lifted her away from the debris field, and shortly after, another man showed up to help. Alex Laughton had been on his way out of the falls area when he heard the booming crash and ran about a quarter mile back to check for injuries.
“Thankfully, Alex showed up. He was amazing. He was calm, he had first aid, he put her in a splint. He took her blood pressure,” said Julie. “He deserves recognition.”
Laughton said Saturday was the first time he had to put his first aid kit — and training — to use on a trail. He said he was on his way out from the falls when he heard a noise.
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“I looked back and saw a whole whack load of rocks come crashing down where a bunch of people been sitting before,” he said. “I figured, I have first aid, I have gear, so I booked it back to see if I could help anyone.”
While Laughton said Bow Glacier Falls is a tourist-friendly trek, it has no cell reception once you leave the parking lot. He said it’s essential for all hikers — regardless of their experience or what kind of gear they bring along — to do what they can to be prepared.
“The best thing you can do is just let people know where you’re going,” said Laughton. “And if you are less experienced, just stick to trails where there’s likely to be more people.”
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EMS arrived on scene 90 minutes after incident
The Patersons estimated it took about 90 minutes for a helicopter to arrive. Once the injured woman was assessed and loaded onto a gurney under the helicopter, it flew to the parking lot of The Lodge at Bow Lake, where it was met by ground ambulances.
AHS EMS told Postmedia the woman suffered severe but non-life-threatening injuries, and was transported to Banff Mineral Springs Hospital.
“I guess it could happen anywhere,” Julie said in recalling the frightening accident once back at The Lodge at Bow Lake. “But when I was running, I really thought it was over. Afterwards, I thought, I guess it wasn’t our time to go.”
Parks Canada did not respond to Postmedia’s request for information on Sunday.
mrodriguez@postmedia.com
Twitter: @MichaelRdrguez
