Sonya McIntyre dies in fatal Coquitlam mudslide
Sonya McIntyre dies in fatal Coquitlam mudslide
Fatal Coquitlam mudslide death of Sonya McIntyre – Obituary
A woman has tragically lost her life after a mudslide swept away her home in Coquitlam, part of Metro Vancouver, over the weekend. The incident is one of three fatalities linked to an atmospheric river that caused unprecedented rainfall and flooding along British Columbia’s South Coast.
Authorities initiated a search and rescue operation for the homeowner after a mudslide obstructed Quarry Road around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. Local police confirmed on Monday that the 57-year-old woman was discovered deceased on Sunday evening.
The deceased has been identified as Sonya McIntyre, who worked as a teacher at Aspenwood Elementary School in Port Moody. A spokesperson for the Coquitlam School District expressed the organization’s commitment to supporting the students and staff at Aspenwood during this difficult time, highlighting McIntyre’s value to the community.
“This is an incredibly tragic situation, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim,” stated Coquitlam RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Alexa Hodgins in a news release. “We would like to thank the Canada Task Force 1 – Urban Search and Rescue and Coquitlam Fire and Rescue for their dedication in locating the victim.”
The police noted that McIntyre’s family has been informed and further details will not be released.
In the meantime, Quarry Road remains impassable between Calgary Drive and MacIntyre Road due to the mudslide, with local residents instructed to shelter in place while debris remains on the road. Officials have not provided an estimated time for when the road might reopen.
During a meeting on Monday afternoon, Coquitlam’s acting mayor, Craig Hodge, provided an update on the situation, noting that the rainfall levels in the city were about two and a half times higher than those recorded during the 2021 atmospheric river event. “This was a significant occurrence,” he remarked. “Sadly, it resulted in the death of one of our community members. On behalf of the city, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the friends, family, and colleagues of the deceased.”
Coquitlam Fire and Rescue Services Chief Scott Young elaborated on the response efforts, stating that it was immediately clear that additional support from the Canada Task Force 1 Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Team would be necessary due to the challenging conditions at the site, including downed hydro lines and extensive debris. The search began on Saturday, paused when darkness fell, and resumed Sunday morning, involving more than 20 specialized team members.
“The search lasted over two days, ultimately leading us to find the victim approximately 250 to 300 meters away from where her home once stood,” Young explained. He described the condition of the house as severely damaged and relocated from its original foundation. “It was a heartbreaking conclusion for the teams involved, but they succeeded in recovering the resident. Without their specialized equipment and expertise, it would have been impossible to locate her.”
Additionally, Hodge informed attendees that local search and rescue teams were still working to find a hiker who went missing over the weekend. The Coquitlam RCMP later identified the missing man as 59-year-old Robert Belding, who was last seen near Pipeline Road and Galette Avenue around 5 p.m. on Sunday. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Belding’s whereabouts to contact them.
In a related incident on Vancouver Island, a driver was found deceased, and another individual is presumed to have drowned after two vehicles were discovered submerged in a river.
Sonya McIntyre dies in fatal Coquitlam mudslide Fatal Coquitlam mudslide death of Sonya McIntyre – Obituary A woman has tragically lost her life after a mudslide swept away her home in Coquitlam, part of Metro Vancouver, over the weekend. The incident is one of three fatalities linked to an atmospheric river that caused unprecedented rainfall…
Sonya McIntyre dies in fatal Coquitlam mudslide Fatal Coquitlam mudslide death of Sonya McIntyre – Obituary A woman has tragically lost her life after a mudslide swept away her home in Coquitlam, part of Metro Vancouver, over the weekend. The incident is one of three fatalities linked to an atmospheric river that caused unprecedented rainfall…