Two of the three adventurers killed in Tuesday’s fatal accident on Shannon Falls are natives of Richmond.
While Squamish RCMP have not officially released the names of the victims from the tragic incident, friends and family of the victims are beginning to name them on social media.
YouTube star Ryker Gamble and Alexey Lyakh are both McRoberts secondary alumni. They have been identified as two of the three adventure seekers who died after slipping into the river above Shannon Falls.
The other victim is believed to be Megan “Mindy” Scraper, according to social media posts from a friend who witnessed the accident on the trail.
It’s understood Scraper slipped into the falls at some point, where there was a strong current, and Gamble and Lyakh jumped in to save her.
In an emotional Facebook post, friend Zachary Moxley remembered “their positive energy, their hunger for success and willingness to help others.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned from those beautiful humans it’s to not take anything for granted and live to your absolute fullest.”
RCMP said on Tuesday that the trio slipped and were dragged into the current while swimming in one of the pools near the top of the falls on the Upper Shannon Falls hiking trail.
Witnesses told search and rescue officials that Gamble and Lyakh followed Scraper into the pools to try and help her. All three dropped 30 metres over the pool’s ledge.
Underwater dive teams worked hard on Wednesday undertaking a “complex recovery” of the bodies from a hard-to-access pool, according to an RCMP release.
The Squamish RCMP and Squamish SAR have now turned the file over the BC Coroner's service and have not released the victims’ names officially.
All three victims were well known social media professionals. Gamble and Lyakh produced a popular Youtube channel called High on Life.
Both went to McRoberts, where they routinely scored top marks for using videos for assignments.
The group has travelled all over the world, exploring a long list of destinations in Europe, Asia, South America and North America. In 2016 their exploits made international news after they were charged with damaging sensitive habitat in Yellowstone Park.
Scraper was known online as “Mindy the Lion” and had an online marketing business built around extensive travel.
Scraper and Lyakh had been dating for five years, according to social media.
Family member Rob Mangelsdorf took to Facebook on Wednesday to pay tribute to his adventurous cousin.
“There’s a little less light in the world today. I love you Ryker Gamble. You are gone but you will not be forgotten,” he posted.
With files from The Pique
