5 rescued after ski slope avalanche, but 2 dead, Idaho resort says
A handful of skiers were rescued after avalanches on downhill skiing slopes in Idaho’s panhandle Tuesday, but at least two people died, according to a local ski resort and media reports.
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The avalanches were reported around 11 a.m. on Silver Mountain, the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg confirmed in a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon that “there was one fatality and five others involved who were rescued with minor injuries.” Silver Mountain staff said the search was ongoing, including probes and rescue dogs.
“The staff at Silver Mountain extend their deepest sympathies to the family of the individual,” the resort’s Facebook post said. “Out of respect of the person’s family and their privacy, no further details will be released at this time.”
Deputies said in their initial Facebook post that there were up to three avalanches, with 911 calls reporting “that possibly three people have been trapped in one of those avalanches.”
In an update just before 1 p.m. local time, deputies wrote that four people had been recovered from the avalanche area with the help of the Silver Mountain Ski Patrol, Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, and Shoshone County Volunteer Search and Rescue.
“We will post updates as they become available,” deputies said.
The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, reported that “one skier at the site who helped Ski Patrol with the rescue said one person was partially buried but freed himself to aid the search for others. Two other skiers who were under the snow were pulled out and were seen walking away.”
According to the Spokesman-Review, another “skier was found buried beneath about 10 feet of snow as rescuers used probes. The skier was pulled and came out yelling because he was so excited to be found.”
KXLY reported that Silver Mountain’s “gondola is moving but they are not taking any skiers up the mountain due to today’s avalanche.”
Silver Mountain Resort — located in Kellogg, Idaho — said in a Facebook post that the slide was in the Wardner Peak area.
“Silver Mountain Ski Patrol responded immediately and began to search for guests,” the post said.
This story was originally published January 7, 2020 at 3:39 PM with the headline "5 rescued after ski slope avalanche, but 2 dead, Idaho resort says."
