‘Unthinkable loss’ as young doctors killed in Lake Louise avalanche
Colleagues are calling the death of two young American doctors killed in an avalanche while snowshoeing at Lake Louise an “unthinkable loss” for the Boston medical community.
Boston doctors Victor Fedorov and Lauren Zeitels, both 32, were reported missing on March 14 to RCMP after the pair failed to check out of their hotel room in Field, B.C., just west of the Alberta border.
Their rental vehicle was found a short time later at a trailhead north of Lake Louise on Highway 93, an area that had recently seen an avalanche.
The hospital that employed both as residents in internal medicine confirmed Monday the pair had been killed in an avalanche.
“This tragic accident occurred despite their extensive planning and taking every safety precaution. The last two weeks have been extremely difficult and emotional for our community as together we waited, hoped and prayed for a different outcome,” said Dr. Katrina Armstrong and Dr. Jatin Vyas, in a note to staff at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Parks Canada believe the pair were caught in an avalanche on March 12. Searchers were able to pick up a signal from an avalanche transceiver carried by the pair but the risk was too high for any recovery to take place immediately. After some avalanche control work was conducted above the Mount Hector site, crews were finally able to access the area to recover the bodies on March 17.
Colleagues describe the doctors as “seasoned outdoor enthusiasts” who represented “the best of medicine and humanity.”
“Victor and Lauren enthusiastically embraced all life had to offer.… ” Armstrong and Vyas wrote to staff.
“We have been in close contact with Lauren’s and Victor’s families, and on behalf of every member of our department, we have extended our deepest condolences. … This unthinkable loss has left a hole in our department, our hospital, and our hearts.”