Two skiers killed in Utah avalanche: ‘Extremely scary’

Authorities say two backcountry skiers died after they were caught in an avalanche in the mountains outside Salt Lake City, Utah, on Thursday.

Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said rescue teams went to the area near Lone Peak in the Wasatch Range after the avalanche was reported. She said she believed the emergency call, made around 10 a.m., came from a snow avalanche survivor.

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“He could dig himself out,” Rivera said The Salt Lake Tribune. “He was doing pretty well, other than mentally it’s extremely scary to go through something like that.”

Craig Gordon, a meteorologist at the Utah Avalanche Center, said the survivor found the other skiers and tried to rescue them. “This was a group of very experienced, very serious and very dedicated backcountry skiers,” he said tribune, fighting back tears. “At the moment things are very difficult for us and our entire community.”

According to the Associated Press, the two avalanche victims who died were men, ages 23 and 32. Their names have not been released, but Rivera said their families have been notified.

A recovery was not possible Thursday due to conditions in the area, but crews plan to return Friday morning, weather permitting, Rivera added.

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