B.C. coroner identifies Washington state man who died in rock-climbing accident

KELOWNA, B.C. – A Washington state man has been identified by the BC Coroners Service as the climber who fell to his death while rock climbing on Saturday.

Thirty-one-year-old Stas Eric Gray of Seattle was killed while climbing with friends on Skaha Bluffs, a world-class rock-climbing site, south of Penticton, B.C.

Regional coroner Larry Marzinzik says Gray was rappelling down during his third climb of the day when he fell eight metres.

Marzinzik says despite the best efforts of fellow climbers and emergency personnel, Gray died at the scene.

There’s no indication of what caused Gray to fall and the coroners’ service and RCMP continue to investigate the death.

The coroner says Gray’s family has been notified of his death.