A New Zealand mountaineering expert who was injured in last week’s helicopter skiing accident in British Columbia has died from his injuries, bringing the death toll from the tragedy to four.
The New Zealand Mountain Guides Association wrote on Facebook on Monday that its president, Lewis Ainsworth, was on board the Northern Escape Heli Skiing company helicopter as a guide on January 22.
Mr. Ainsworth’s mother, Marney Ainsworth, also indicated on Facebook at the weekend that he would not survive his injuries and posted a video on Monday in which she paid tribute to her son.
Northern Escape Heli Skiing company president John Forrest said earlier that three people died in the accident and four others were seriously injured. He added that the bodies were found at the scene of the accident, north of Terrace.
Italian news agency ANSA previously reported that three Italians died in the accident.
In its Facebook post, the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association said Mr Ainsworth was internationally recognized in the mountaineering community and was 35 years old at the time of his death. According to the association, he is survived by the person who shared his life and their 10-year-old daughter.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada dispatched a team of investigators to the scene of the accident.