Replying to Eight Americans die in B.C. avalanche

REVELSTOKE, B.C. (CP) -- Eight American back-country skiers were killed and a number of others rescued after an avalanche crashed down a mountainside Monday in eastern British Columbia.

The slide came down near the Durrand Glacier, 37 kilometres north-northeast of the town of Revelstoke in the Selkirk Mountains. There were conflicting reports of how many people were caught in the avalanche, which happened late Monday morning.

Some reports put the group's size at 20 but Ian McKichan, regional coroner for the B.C. Interior, said it was a party of 10 people and a guide.

McKichan said eight died and two were injured.