Probe launched after Scilly tourism manager dies in horror snowstorm

A WOMAN from Cornwall has been named as one of five hikers who died after being caught in a snowstorm with high winds while trekking in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park.

- by CORNISHMAN REPORTER

Victoria Bond died while on a trek in a Chilean national park when her group was struck by extreme weather

(Instagram)

Victoria Bond, 40, from Newquay, who worked in public relations for the Isles of Scilly Tourist Information Centre and was also involved with the Roseland Festival, was trekking the Paine Massif Circuit in Patagonia, also known as the O Circuit, on Monday, November 17, when her group was struck by gusts exceeding 120mph and heavy snowfall.

The other casualties were two Mexican nationals, Cristina Calvillo Tovar and Julian Garcia Pimentel, and German citizens Nadine Lichey and Andreas von Pein.

Chile's National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) has now ordered an internal investigation “to determine any potential liability” for the tourists’ deaths, the BBC reports.

The investigation follows claims that park rangers were not around when the storm descended.