A Kaslo woman died Friday when a tree fell on her tent near Clearwater. The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the victim was Alice Bernice Gilbert, 66.
She was camping with family and friends on Murtle Lake, a marine campsite in Wells Gray Provincial Park. At about 5 a.m., a 38-meter-tall tree "spontaneously fell," landing on Gilbert's tent. Others at the campsite immediately called for help, but Gilbert couldn't be resuscitated.
The coroner and RCMP are still investigating.
Gilbert's family has been notified. She had been treasurer of the Kaslo Victorian Hospital Auxiliary and an active runner, competing in Kaslo Sufferfest, among other races.
Earlier this month, the Kamloops Daily News reported a mother and seven teens narrowly escaped a falling tree at Murtle Lake that was brought down by a storm.
Ministry of Environment spokesman Stuart Bertrand said the campsite remains open.
"This location has been assessed twice this year, once very recently, and the fallen tree was not identified as a hazard tree," he said in an email. "The failure of this healthy tree was not predictable." He added: "The safety of visitors to BC Parks is paramount."