Eight skiers confirmed dead in California avalanche
Eight of the nine skiers missing in an avalanche in California’s Sierra Nevada have been found dead.
The bodies of all nine skiers missing in an avalanche in California’s Sierra Nevada have been found, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office announced on February 21.
In a press conference, Sheriff’s Office Lt. Dennis Haak said California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the California National Guard assisted in recovering the ninth remaining skier on February 21, and the body was recovered at 10:58 a.m. Pacific Time.
On February 18, search and rescue teams in California rescued eight of the nine missing skiers caught in a powerful avalanche near Lake Tahoe, USA TODAY previously reported.
At approximately 11:30 a.m. on February 17, a thunderous avalanche struck a group of nine female and six male skiers, ranging in age from 30 to 55, near Castle Peak in northern Truckee, California, during dangerous winter conditions that have dramatically increased the risk of avalanches across the region.
Officials said several skiers were initially trapped in the slide, prompting a massive rescue effort involving Black Hawk helicopters, ground search teams and avalanche dogs. The accident is believed to be the deadliest avalanche in the United States in the past 40 years.
How was the body of the 9th skier recovered?
Haak said CHP arrived at the avalanche scene early on Feb. 21 to rescue the ninth skier, but were unable to complete the hoist due to strong winds. However, the California National Guard continued hoist operations and recovered the last skier, he added.
Has any skier survived an avalanche?
Six members of the group (four men and two women) survived the avalanche and were rescued after crews arrived on February 17 after battling the weather for several hours. Two people were taken to the hospital with injuries, the sheriff’s office said. Initially 10 people were thought to be missing, but authorities later updated that number to nine.
Officials identified the genders of the deceased as seven women and two men.
Who was the skier who died?
Nevada County Sheriff Shanann Moon identified the nine victims during a Feb. 21 press conference.
- Carrie Atkin, 42, of South Lake Tahoe, California
- Liz Clabaugh (52 years old, resident of Boise, Idaho)
- Kate Morse, 45, of Soda Springs and Tiburon, Calif.
- Caroline Sekar, 45, lives in Soda Springs, Calif., and San Francisco.
- Kate Witt, 43, of Greenbrae, California
- Andrew Alisandratos, 34, Verdy, Nevada
- Michael Henry, 30, of Tampa, Florida
- Daniel Keetley, 44, resident of Soda Springs and Lake Forest, California.
- Nikki Chu, 42 years old, lives in South Lake Tahoe, California.
Alisandratos, Henry and Chu worked for Blackbird Mountain Guides, according to the sheriff’s office. Additionally, the victims included members of Sugar Bowl Academy, an elite ski school.
Regarding the Feb. 17 avalanche, the school said in a statement on Feb. 18 that “multiple members of the Sugar Bowl Academy community and others with strong ties to the Sugar Bowl, Donner Summit, and backcountry communities were killed.” “Sugar Bowl Academy is committed to supporting our players, students, staff, and families as they overcome this tragedy.”
Sugar Bowl Academy did not say which of the victims were members of the school.
Contributors: Michael James, Amanda Lee Myers, Thao Nguyen, Janine Santucci/USA TODAY
