A 25-year-old businesswoman from the South Shore of Montreal died Thursday morning, swept away in an avalanche that occurred on Ecuador’s highest volcano, causing consternation among her relatives.
Around 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, an avalanche was declared by local authorities on Chimborazo, the highest volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes, carrying Rébecca Dinelle and her 24-year-old boyfriend, Éloi Larrivee, who had started the ascent within hours. previous ones. The young man survived this avalanche, unlike his partner, whose relatives were informed of the death Thursday evening.
The death of the young woman, who was managing director of the McMasterville-based marketing agency 3 Sphères Communications, sparked a wave of reactions on social networks. “It is with a torn heart this morning that I must announce the death of my best friend, my sister and my associate Rébecca Dinelle”, wrote in particular on Friday evening Jeff Thinault-Flynn, with whom the young woman had founded the company. which she directed until very recently.
“We would like to send our deepest condolences to all the family and friends of Rebecca Dinelle, whom we already loved as our own daughter. Watch over us, Rebecca Dinelle. We will always love you, ”said Martin Larrivé, the father of the victim’s boyfriend.
The victim was passionate about extreme sports and cycling. Her death was also highlighted by the Women’s Cycling Team, which also took to social media to pay tribute to her on Saturday. “Words fail us to express the sad loss that the road and mountain cycling community has just experienced,” the organization wrote on its Facebook page.
The causes of this avalanche, which occurred at more than 5,000 meters above sea level, remain unknown. However, the government of Ecuador decided on Friday evening to announce a ban on “high mountain” activities on this site until next Tuesday.
Fundraising
Kim Morissette, a friend of Ms. Dinelle, also launched a donation campaign on Friday evening that has since collected more than $6,700 to support the young woman’s bereaved family. The sums collected will be used to cover funeral expenses and certain expenses that will not be covered by the insurance of the victim, whose body will be repatriated to Quebec.
“His passing and the atypical circumstances behind his death involve unimaginable sums. When we live it, however, we understand that the repatriation of the one we love from the bottom of our heart is priceless. Join us to let her take flight on the most beautiful of journeys as she used to do them, ”wrote Ms. Morissette in reference to Rébecca Dinelle.