Avalanche: 4 000 attend funeral

2009-01-05 07:19

Montreal - At least 4 000 people on Sunday attended the funeral of eight snowmobile enthusiasts who died last week near the small town of Sparwood in western Canada after a series of avalanches.

Family and friends of the eight victims, aged between 20 and 45, turned out to give eulogies at a ceremony in Sparwood, broadcast live on major Canadian television channels.

Local authorities also read the condolences of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General Michaelle Jean.

The eight men were found on Monday and on Tuesday after they went missing last Sunday when they were caught in avalanches in the mountains about 300km southwest of Calgary, British Columbia. Three other men survived the ordeal.

The victims were all from Sparwood, which has population of 3 600.

They "were all born here, they went to school here, most of them went to school with each other. Some of them are related", noted Sparwood Mayor David Wilks last week.

"It's going to be a difficult time, but this community will meld together and be strong for those families, and we will ensure that everything that can be done will be done."

- AFP