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Victims in Shannon Falls accident identified by friends as online travel bloggers

Family and friends have begun posting condolences and memories online
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Megan “Mindy” Scraper and Alexey Lyakh.

While Squamish RCMP have not officially released the names of the victims from the accident on Shannon Falls Tuesday, friends and family of the victims are beginning to name them on social media.

Vancouver YouTube star Ryker Gamble has been identified as one of three young adults who died after slipping into the river above Shannon Falls on Tuesday.

The other two victims are believed to be Megan “Mindy” Scraper and Alexey Lyakh of Vancouver, according to social media posts from a friend who witnessed the accident on the trail.

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,” he wrote.

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 were at work on Wednesday undertaking a “complex recovery” of the bodies from a hard-to-access pool, according to an RCMP release.

"Currently all teams are being cleared from the area until then the park remains closed.  I can't say enough about the incredibly skilled work done today by the RCMP teams along with Squamish SAR,” said Corporal Sascha Banks.

The Squamish RCMP and Squamish SAR have now turned the file over the BC Coroner's service and the names will not be released.

All three victims were well known social media professionals. Gamble and Lyakh, along with friend Parker Heuser, produced a popular Youtube channel High on Life.

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.

 

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