Victim of fatal rock climbing accident near Vernon identified

VERNON – A teen who died in a rock climbing accident near Vernon this past weekend has been identified.

He was Taylor Samuel Archer, 18, from New Westminster.

Archer was hiking with friends near the King Edward Forest Service Road about 15 kilometres east of Vernon on April 11, states a release from the B.C. Coroners Service.

He and a companion decided to go rock climbing, and while traversing a rock face, Archer fell about 12 metres to the rocky ground below.

“Despite the best efforts of his companions and emergency personnel, Taylor died at the scene,” the coroners service said.

According to the RCMP, Archer has family in the Vernon area. Early indications at the scene led police to believe he was not wearing any safety equipment, such as a helmet, when he fell.

His family has been notified of his death. Police and the coroner continue to investigate.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.