Family of Chinese hiker who died in B.C. mountain fall faces ‘enormous’ medical bills
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
VANCOUVER – An outdoor adventure group says a member who died after trying to rescue a companion on one of Metro Vancouver’s tallest mountains was a visitor from China, whose family now faces “enormous” medical bills.
The Pacific Northwest Outdoor Association says in an online statement that Yan Cen, who fell about 100 metres on Brunswick Mountain near Lions Bay, B.C., “lost his life while bravely helping another friend.”
Lions Bay Search and Rescue says the incident happened on Saturday when a woman in a group of 14 hikers slipped and fell about 20 metres.
Yan then tried to climb down to assist her, but the rescue group says he also slipped and fell further down the steep, snowy terrain, coming to rest just above a waterfall.
A spokesperson for Lions Bay Search and Rescue confirmed the man rescued on Saturday who died the next day, is the same person identified as Yan in an online fundraiser set up by the outdoor association.
The fundraiser says Yan’s death has left his family devastated and facing “overwhelming non-resident ICU medical bills” from Vancouver General Hospital.
Vancouver Coastal Health lists intensive-care costs in Vancouver General Hospital at $18,105 per day for non-residents.
“Yan Cen was a person of immense kindness and passion, always eager to help others,” the association fundraiser says.
“His sudden departure has left his family devastated, facing enormous, unexpected financial burdens.”
It said funds would go toward medical, funeral and other costs, with about $44,000 raised by Tuesday afternoon.
The BC Coroners Service says an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Lions Bay Search and Rescue said Saturday’s rescue, involving rope systems and two helicopters, “was a complex, difficult and high-risk operation.”
“This is a deeply tragic outcome, and our thoughts are with everyone affected,” the group said in a social media post.
The rescue team said the female hiker was in a stable condition after being extracted.
— With files by Chuck Chiang in Vancouver
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 24, 2026.