MILLCREEK — Four people died while four others survived an avalanche Saturday in the mountains on the eastern edge of the Salt Lake Valley, according to Unified police.
Police said it was a group of eight skiers, friends who range in age from 23 to 48 years old, who triggered the avalanche around 11 a.m. The survivors were able to dig themselves out and find their friends, whom they also reportedly uncovered, but it was too late.
One of the survivors experienced hypothermia and all eight of them were wearing beacons at the time of the avalanche, according to Unified police.
Officials said they hope to recover the bodies of the four skiers who died before nightfall, but recovery efforts may continue Sunday.
High Danger. Large natural avalanches overnight. Dangerous avalanche conditions. Keep it low angle. #utavy pcStetson pic.twitter.com/t7pAxOXDIX
— UtahAvalancheCenter (@UACwasatch) February 6, 2021
“This is a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to the victims and families involved,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox tweeted. He thanked “first responders and others who engaged in this rescue and recovery effort” and urged caution in the wake of the deaths.
“With avalanche danger high right now, please exercise extreme caution,” he said.
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said more information would become available “through the evening.”
“We are heartbroken over the tragic news of four fatalities as the result of an avalanche in the Millcreek Canyon area this afternoon,” she said. “We deeply mourn the loss of life due to this devastating incident.”
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Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
The deadly slide, reported to be at 9,800 feet, occurred near Wilson Glade in Millcreek Canyon. Multiple agencies responded to the incident, including Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Canyon Search and Rescue Unit, Unified Police Department, Unified Fire Authority, as well as Brighton and Solitude ski patrol.
The Utah Avalanche Center called it “significant” after reporting dangerous avalanche conditions early on Saturday, noting that large natural slides occurred throughout the night.
High Danger. Large natural avalanches overnight. Dangerous avalanche conditions. Keep it low angle. #utavy pcStetson pic.twitter.com/t7pAxOXDIX
— UtahAvalancheCenter (@UACwasatch) February 6, 2021
Another four avalanches were reported on Saturday, though none involved any victims, preliminary reports indicate. Utah Avalanche Center Director Mark Staples has said an avalanche can travel at speeds up to 80 mph.
There were two fatal avalanches in Summit County in January, including one a week ago involving a Park City man.
The last time four people were killed in the same avalanche was in 1992, at Gold Basin in Moab, according to the Utah Avalanche Center.
This story will be updated.
from Deseret News https://ift.tt/36PKcJt
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