Utah avalanche ‘kills FOUR people’ after officials warned of ‘high danger’ because of recent snowstorms
A UTAH avalanche killed four people on Saturday after officials warned of “high danger” due to recent snowstorms, according to reports. The Unified Police Department revealed a total of four people died and four survived the avalanche in Millcreek Canyon’s Alexander Basin, FOX 13 reported. “The four that were alive were able to self-extricate themselves […]
A UTAH avalanche killed four people on Saturday after officials warned of “high danger” due to recent snowstorms, according to reports.
The Unified Police Department revealed a total of four people died and four survived the avalanche in Millcreek Canyon’s Alexander Basin, FOX 13 reported.
“The four that were alive were able to self-extricate themselves and dig out the others,” Brian Schee, of KSTU – a local Utah Fox affiliate, tweeted. “All of them were skiers.”
It has been reported that all eight people had beacons – a fire or light set up as a warning signal.
Shortly after noon, a UPD tweet read: “Avalanche Alexander Basin. 5 people possibly buried, unknown condition.”
Life Flight helicopters were immediately sent to the scene.
Nearly one hour before the UPD revealed people were possibly buried, the Utah Avalanch Center tweeted out a warning.
It read: “High Danger. Large natural avalanches overnight. Dangerous avalanche conditions.
“Keep it low angle. #utavy pcStetson.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox took to social media on Saturday evening to comment on the “terrible tragedy.”
Cox tweeted: “Our prayers go out to the victims and families involved.
“We are grateful to the first responders and others who engaged in this rescue and recovery effort.
“With avalanche danger high right now, please exercise extreme caution.”
Earlier this week, a 57-year-old man died after being buried under another avalanche in Utah.
Kurt Damschroder, from Park City, Utah, was killed after he was caught up in the disaster, according to Summit County Sheriff Justin Martinez in a tweet on February 1.
Damschroder and another skier are thought to have triggered the avalanche in an area known as Square Top, away from the resort boundaries near the Park City Mountain Canyons Village resort.
The second skier was able to dig to Damschroder and “attempted lifesaving efforts” but was forced to leave because of dangerous conditions, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office.
“The extreme avalanche danger prevented rescuers from getting into the area before nightfall,” the sheriff’s office said.
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The first week of February saw another avalanch in the same area, according to The Utah Avalanche Center: “Avalanche debris went over 1,000ft down the base of the slope.”
“Square has been a sleeping giant waiting for someone to step out and take a ride and today it finally happened. The slide went the entire length of the slope funneling down as it usually does.
“This skier got lucky and was able to get out and avoid a very long and rocky ride.”