California avalanche update: Eight skiers found dead, one missing amid ‘ongoing’ rescue operation
An avalanche that has been described as the size of a football field has claimed the lives of eight skiers as rescue crews desperately search for one skier who remains missing.
Authorities in the US have confirmed eight skiers have been killed by an Avalanche in northern California.
Search and rescue crews were sent to Frog Lake in the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe on Tuesday, after an emergency call reporting an avalanche and people buried.
Sheriff Shannan Moon on Wednesday morning local time confirmed that eight of nine missing skiers were deceases, as a search continues for one other missing person.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The operation is still considered “ongoing”, but harsh weather conditions and snow are hindering efforts.
The remaining missing skier is sadly presumed dead due to the amount of ice and snow that fell.
The identities of those killed by the horror avalanche have not been confirmed, however, Sheriff Wayne Woo told a press conference that one of the skiers was the spouse of a person on the rescue team. He described the discovery as “challenging” for the team but said they remained “selfless servants” who were putting themselves in “harms way” to help others.
Six rescued before grim update
Crews had pushed through mountainous wilderness during a snowstorm in northern California to rescue six back-country skiers who survived on Tuesday.
Two of the six were taken to a hospital for treatment, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said.
The sheriff’s office said on Tuesday night that 15 skiers were on the trip, not 16 as initially believed.
Search and rescue crews were sent to Frog Lake in the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe, after an emergency call reporting an avalanche and people buried.
A powerful winter storm was moving through California at the time.
Extreme conditions in the northern California mountains slowed the rescue effort.
It took crews several hours to reach the skiers and take them to safety, where they were evaluated by the Truckee Fire Department.
More to come...
- with AP
