Jutta Hinrichs dies in fatal Banff rock slide
Jutta Hinrichs dies in fatal Banff rock slide
Fatal Banff rock slide death of Jutta Hinrichs
A woman who lost her life in a deadly rock slide in Banff National Park has been identified as Jutta Hinrichs, a retired faculty member from the University of Alberta.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Parks Canada confirmed Friday that Hinrichs, aged 70 and from Calgary, was one of the two individuals found deceased following the incident at Bow Glacier Falls on June 19, 2025. Her body was recovered at the scene, while a second victim was located the next morning. Authorities have not yet released the name of the second deceased individual.
Hinrichs had recently retired after a career as a clinical education coordinator with the University of Alberta’s occupational therapy department. According to university officials, she played a key role in expanding the university’s outreach in southern Alberta and was instrumental in shaping clinical training in the Calgary area.
In a tribute shared by the university, colleagues remembered her as an inspirational educator who mentored students and professionals alike, leaving a lasting mark on the province’s occupational therapy community.
She was also a member of the hiking group “Slow and Steady,” which was among the groups on the trail during the time of the slide.
The rock slide struck the Bow Lake trail, located roughly two hours west of Calgary and just north of Lake Louise. The incident was reported after one hiker used a satellite device to signal for emergency assistance. Three individuals were airlifted to hospital and have since been listed in stable condition.
Emergency crews, including RCMP, Parks Canada, fire services, and paramedics, were dispatched to the site, which is known for its rugged terrain and scenic views. A video captured by a survivor shows a massive dust cloud and boulders crashing down the mountainside, which experts say would have provided no advance warning to those on the trail.
First responders needed nearly an hour to access the remote trail. A staging area was set up nearby on the Icefields Parkway to coordinate medical evacuations and further search operations.
Officials stated that all parked vehicles at the trailhead have been accounted for, and no additional missing persons have been reported.
The Bow Lake trail remains closed to the public as geotechnical teams assess the area for ongoing risk. While nearby locations such as Bow Hut Trail and Bow Lake have reopened, access to the slide area is still restricted. A no-fly zone is currently enforced, and temporary road closures are in effect along sections of the Icefields Parkway.
Parks Canada, RCMP, and search and rescue teams extended their sympathies to the victims’ families and noted their hopes for the recovery of those hospitalized.