In a tragic incident, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have announced that Capt. Sean Thomas is presumed dead following an avalanche while on leave in Switzerland.

Capt. Thomas, who joined the CAF in 2018 and had recently been deployed to Jordan as part of the Canadian Training Assistance Team, went missing in the avalanche on April 1. The avalanche occurred in an off-piste area of the Riffelberg, located above the resort and below the renowned Matterhorn peak, where local authorities reported three fatalities.

“Canadians will remember the dedication and sacrifices made by him and his family, as he proudly served our country,” stated National Defence Minister Bill Blair, expressing condolences to Capt. Thomas’s family, friends, and colleagues.

Fortunately, no other CAF members were present in the area during the avalanche. The military continues to monitor the situation closely, extending support to Capt. Thomas’s loved ones during this difficult time.