The popular hiking trail through Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park is closed temporarily while repairs are made and assessment conducted into a tree that fell and injured a young boy on Thursday afternoon (July 9).
The popular hiking trail through Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park is closed temporarily while repairs are made and assessment conducted into a tree that fell and injured a young boy on Thursday afternoon (July 9).
Parks communications officer Christina Tricomi said the tree dislodged and fell onto a section of railing along the Johnston Canyon trail, injuring a 12-year-old boy.
Parks visitor safety specialists responded with Alpine Helicopters, transporting the young boy to Banff Mineral Springs Hospital before STARS air ambulance transferred him to Calgary in serious, life-threatening condition.
"Parks Canada is currently conducting repairs and a hazardous tree assessment," Tricomi said. "The trail will be closed until further notice and all assessments are complete. Parks Canada cannot speculate on events pertaining to how or why the tree fell before an assessment is completed."
