A BC Woman Died Of 'Extreme Cold' Exposure On The Way Home From Her Neighbour's In -42 C

Police say that weather like this can be "a threat to life only minutes after exposure."
BC Weather Is So Cold That A Woman Died Of Exposure On The Way Home From Her Neighbour's
Alexander Naumov | Dreamstime
Contributor

Dawson Creek RCMP has issued a warning after an exposure-related death occurred in the midst of B.C.'s weather dropping to extreme lows. 

A woman in her late 60s was found on the morning of Sunday, February 7 after visiting her next-door neighbour the night before, says the police report. 

Editor's Choice: The Polar Vortex Is Spreading 'From Coast To Coast' With Temps As Low As -50 C This Week

She departed the friend's home around 1:00am, however; tragically, did not make it back inside her own home. Dawson Creek RCMP

Her friend reportedly found her in the morning and called the police.  

According to CTV News, temperatures fell to -42.2 C on Sunday when the woman was trying to get home from her neighbour's house. 

The RCMP is using this tragedy as an opportunity to remind the public that temperatures like this are very dangerous and can be "a threat to life only minutes after exposure."

'If required to travel, always pack a bag of clothes or wear layers and avoid travelling alone," they urge. 

If you must travel alone, they suggest a buddy system where someone knows your plan and can check up on you if you don't arrive when planned. 

Police are still investigating the death, though at present they have deemed it to be "the result of exposure to extreme cold."

This article's cover photo is for illustrative purposes only. 

  • Britanny Burr was a Staff Writer at Narcity Canada, who drove growth within Narcity's Western coverage and readership. Having lived between her hometown, Canmore, Alberta and Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, and NYC over the past 10 years, she is obsessed with finding the best local hot spots. She holds a B.A. in English and has over six years of professional writing experience as Head Writer and Editor for YUL.Buzz in Montreal, and Creative Copywriter at JAKT in NYC. News by day, poetry by night — the written word is Britanny's nearest and dearest.

This new winter forecast reveals when Canada's weather will become colder than normal

An "abrupt transition" to the start of winter is expected soon!