Search continues for Pennsylvania man at Banff National Park’s Johnston Canyon: RCMP

Mounties say a search is ongoing for a 25-year-old man from Pennsylvania who is believed to have drowned at Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park.

RCMP say the report came in of the drowning incident that happened at the Lower Falls at Johnston Canyon Trail at around 6:45 p.m. Friday, saying it’s believed someone jumped into the rapids and never resurfaced.

As a result, the Johnston Canyon Trail and Day-Use Area are currently closed. RCMP said Sunday that it remains closed as rangers continue their search.

Staff Sgt. Matthew Howell says the victim is believed dead at this time.

Mounties are leading the investigation, while park rangers lead the recovery efforts.

“The other thing that’s been taken into consideration as well with regards to the area is that with the spring melts, the rapids as well as even the pools that are in the area, they’re getting a lot of turbulence is the best word I can think of right now,” he told CityNews.

“The runoff is making the rapids a lot faster and a lot more dangerous as well as the pools, so it’s making recovery difficult, even cameras being sent in are having a hard time getting a proper image of the area.”

Members of the public are being asked to stay away from the area to ensure public safety and to allow emergency responders to carry out their work.

The trails include Johnston Canyon trail, Johnston Canyon Lower Falls, Johnston Canyon Upper Falls, Johnston Canyon Fire Road, and Johnston Canyon P2 trail.

Howell says trails in the park are marked, letting visitors know they are approaching a dangerous area, whether with a railing or signage.

He did, however, lament that people will still go off-trails regardless of any warnings.

“Just be careful where you step. There’s a reason why the trails are designed the way they are,” he said.

“The trails themselves are considered safe, as long as you’re careful with your footing and looking where you’re going. But as soon as you go off the trail, you don’t know if you’re going to encounter, you know, wet stone or loose stone, erosion, so on, so forth. And that can add to a risk factor, especially when you’re close to the water in the rapids.”

Parks Canada says anyone caught going off-trail or entering the area may face a maximum fine of $25,000.

Howell also added that water in certain areas, with spring runoff, is stronger than they appear.

“So, grand scheme of things, we’re just asking people to stick to the trails, to follow any indications on the trails themselves, and to keep watching their footing when they are travelling in the area,” he said.

An Edmonton man drowned near Johnston Canyon Trail in 2015. He was pronounced dead on the scene, and it wasn’t believed to be suspicious.

More information on Banff National Park and any trail notices can be found online.

With files from Dione Wearmouth