The BC Coroner Service says that a man has succumbed to his injuries after he fell during a hike on Saturday on Mount Brunswick near Lions Bay.
The man was part of a group of 14 people descending the mountain sometime before 1:40 p.m., when he lost his footing and fell over 100 metres.
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North Shore Rescue (NSR) and Lions Bay Search and Rescue (LBSR) say that they responded to the scene shortly after and attempted to access the man who fell in a snow moat above a waterfall.
Rescuers called two helicopters to hoist the hiker down.
“The North Shore Rescue members set up rope systems and secured the male subject, provided advanced medical care with an ER doctor on scene, and hoisted out the subject,” a written statement said.
NSR says that the man was initially attempting to help and locate a female member of the group who had fallen “a significant distance and injured herself.”
“Lions Bay members were flown in on a second helicopter and were able to make their way down to the female subject, secure her, and provide first aid,” NSR said.
Once both hikers were secured, they were transported to the hospital. The man was in critical condition at that time, and he died a day later.
The woman remains in the hospital in stable condition.
The other hikers were securely escorted down the mountain.
The NSR says that the rescue operation was “highly technical in very steep terrain.”
The BC Coroners Service says it is now investigating the incident.
In a press release, the Pacific Northwest Outdoor Association (PNOA) says that the man was a Chinese tourist.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our dear friend Yan Cen (石头). He lost his life while bravely helping another friend during an outdoor activity, embodying the true spirit of mutual support that defines our outdoor community,” the PNOA said.
A spokesperson for Lions Bay Search and Rescue confirmed the man rescued on Saturday, who died the next day, is the same person identified as Yan in an online fundraiser set up by the outdoor association.
The organization adds that his family is now facing multiple costs, including hospital bills and the handling of remains.
“We have set up a GoFundMe page for Yan Cen’s family,” the PNOA said.
Vancouver Coastal Health lists intensive-care costs in Vancouver General Hospital at $18,105 per day for non-residents.
– With files from The Canadian Press.
