Police investigate accidental death of Idaho geocacher

Creston RCMP and BC Coroners Services are investigating an accidental death of an Idaho man who fell over a roadside embankment while geocaching along Hwy 3A north of Creston.

On Wednesday July 20th at around 2:20 pm the Creston RCMP, BCAS Services and Nelson Search and Rescue were dispatched to a roadside pull off area near Alkokli Creek Rd, where a 75 yr old man had fallen down a steep embankment after the group had stopped to locate a geocache site.

Despite the efforts of the man’s family who were with him and another group of motorists who also assisted to provide first aid and CPR, the man died at the scene as a result of the injuries sustained in the fall.

"Geocaching is a very popular recreational activity where people use GPS devices to locate hidden items and sign in to a log book, and at times replace the small trinket with another item for the next geocacher to find and exchange. We do caution people to consider the terrain at these sites, to ensure that it is safe to attempt to retrieve the item, if deemed that it’s in rough terrain, simply skip it." stated Cpl Dan Moskaluk

The 75 yr old man and family were all from Moye Springs, Idaho and were vacationing in BC. Witness accounts indicated that the group had stopped and had just begun locating the GPS bearings of the geocache when the man had stepped over the road side barriers, lost his footing and fell approximately 80ft.

The RCMP and BC Coroners Services have completed their investigation into the matter. The Creston RCMP victim assistance services have provided support to the visiting family.