ARCHIVED - Search underway for search and rescue technician from 17 Wing Winnipeg

News Article / February 9, 2015

Sergeant Mark Salesse, a search and rescue technician (SAR tech) from 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron, based at 17 Wing Winnipeg, Manitoba, is missing after an incident in a training exercise in Banff National Park, Alberta, that occurred on Thursday, February 5, 2015, at around 6 p.m. Mountain Time.

Sergeant Salesse, an experienced SAR tech, was conducting routine mountain training with his team of other SAR techs in an area known as the Polar Circus when he was swept away by an avalanche.

Parks Canada (Banff Visitor Safety Centre) is the lead agency coordinating the search and has visitor safety specialists equipped with dog teams and air support working in the area to locate the missing SAR tech.

Unrelenting snowfall has hampered search efforts along with significant avalanche hazards in the area. The search area is relatively small, but the geography, weather and snow cover make for a complex search.

Conditions in the area were clear when climbing began, but later deteriorated. After an initial search by his climbing partners, Parks Canada was contacted to initiate the rescue the evening of Thursday, February 5. Parks Canada visitor safety specialists were unable to reach the Polar Circus route due to avalanche hazard, deteriorating weather and nightfall. Crews later attempted an aerial helicopter search of the area, and search efforts continue in earnest.

More details will be released as they become available.

“We are hoping for the best possible outcome, and that our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our Canadian Armed Forces member,” said Defence Minister Rob Nicholson.