Authorities have provided additional details regarding the avalanche that occurred on Saturday, Feb. 8, leaving one skier dead and another injured.
Victim Identified, Recovery Efforts Completed
According to the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the victim, identified as a man in his 50s, was recovered and transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office on Sunday.
The second skier, also in his 50s, survived the avalanche and was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials have not provided further updates on his condition as of Feb. 9.
Avalanche Strikes Near Alta
The avalanche occurred around 12:45 p.m. on Feb. 8 in the Alta area, a popular skiing destination in Salt Lake County. The cause of the avalanche has yet to be determined.
Authorities confirmed that both individuals caught in the slide were men in their 50s, but further details on what led to the tragic incident remain unknown.
Avalanche Conditions Were Dangerous
The Utah Avalanche Center had issued considerable to high avalanche warnings across various parts of Utah on Saturday.
- High avalanche danger indicates “very dangerous conditions” where travel in avalanche-prone areas is strongly discouraged.
- Considerable avalanche danger suggests that natural avalanches are possible and human-triggered avalanches are likely.
The Utah Avalanche Center warns that most avalanche-related fatalities occur during considerable avalanche danger due to increased human interaction with unstable snow conditions.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident and urge backcountry travelers to exercise caution when venturing into avalanche-prone terrain.
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