2 dead, 1 rescued after avalanche in Lone Peak Canyon

LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON, Utah – An avalanche in Lone Peak Canyon killed two skiers and sent another to the hospital Thursday.

According to the Unified Police, the two deceased skiers were a 23-year-old and a 32-year-old man.

According to a news release, UPD responded to a call requesting assistance in Lone Peak Canyon around 10:15 a.m. They enlisted the help of Salt Lake County Sheriff Search and Rescue, Utah Department of Public Safety, Draper Fire Department, Sandy Fire Department, US Forest Service and Wasatch Back County Rescue.

After “extensive efforts,” search and rescue teams rescued one of the skiers. An ambulance transported the skier to a hospital around midday.

KSL NewsRadio’s Aimee Cobabe reported live from the scene and said the man, who was transported to the hospital, was running.

They then located the other two skiers who did not survive the avalanche.

Search efforts were suspended around 4 p.m. UPD said it would resume efforts Friday.

“This is a tragedy and our condolences go out to the families and the outdoor community in which these individuals were actively involved,” Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said in the news release. “They were experienced skiers and were reportedly well prepared for today’s trip.”

She said this should serve as a reminder that Mother Nature is unpredictable and everyone should be aware of the “dangers of late snowpack and spring runoff.”

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