Search Efforts End After Deadly Mudslide on B.C.’s Duffey Lake Road
The bodies of three men have been recovered from the site of a devastating mudslide south of Lillooet, British Columbia, while search operations for a fourth missing individual have now concluded without success.
According to the B.C. RCMP and the provincial Chief Coroner, the tragedy unfolded on November 15, 2021, when a massive wall of mud and debris swept across a section of Highway 99—also known as Duffey Lake Road—triggered by extreme rainfall from an atmospheric river event.
On Monday, November 15, rescuers recovered the body of a woman, marking the first confirmed fatality linked to the severe flooding and landslides that battered southern British Columbia that weekend. Three additional people were initially reported missing.
Search teams, working in hazardous conditions, located one deceased man on Wednesday, November 17. Two more bodies were recovered on Thursday, November 18, bringing the confirmed death toll from this specific slide to four.
B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe detailed the timeline in a written statement released on Saturday, November 20. Efforts to locate the fourth missing man continued on Friday but proved unsuccessful due to unstable terrain, poor weather, and difficult access at the remote site.
“Despite incredibly challenging conditions, the dedication and teamwork demonstrated by everyone involved in the search are a testament to the professionalism of each organization,” Lapointe said. She extended heartfelt condolences to the grieving families of those who perished and to the family of the still-missing individual.
“As all search avenues have been exhausted, the search efforts have now concluded,” Lapointe noted. Discussions are ongoing to determine the most appropriate next steps at the site. Authorities are working to formally identify the three recovered men and notify their next of kin.
RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet highlighted the obstacles faced by search-and-rescue teams, including adverse weather and treacherous site conditions. The affected portion of Highway 99 remains closed to traffic, with no timeline yet for reopening.
This incident was part of a broader weather disaster that caused widespread flooding, road washouts, and multiple landslides across the province. Lapointe acknowledged the emotional toll, stating: “This has been an incredibly challenging year for all of us in B.C., and my heart goes out to the numerous families and communities that have endured tragic losses.”
The BC Coroners Service pledged to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding these deaths to inform the public record and, where possible, offer recommendations to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
