Avalanche carries two skiers away, critically injuring one, Colorado rescues say
An avalanche carried away two skiers, leaving one with critical injuries, on King Solomon Mountain near Silverton, Colorado rescuers say.
Another skier hiked to the top of a ridge to call for help at 1 p.m. Friday, April 28, following the avalanche, Silverton Medical Rescue reported in a news release.
Two people in a group of four skiers on the north face of the mountain had been swept away by the avalanche, the release said. One suffered critical injuries.
“The area where this accident occurred is incredibly difficult to operate in as rescuers, the approach is long, and the descent is very steep and rocky with challenging terrain to move through, especially with a patient,” the release said.
A Flight for Life helicopter from Durango, Colorado, dropped rescuers near the avalanche. Others also arrived by snowmobile, the release said.
Rescuers moved the injured skier by sled to the valley floor, where the helicopter airlifted the person to a hospital, the release said. Rescuers also helped the other skiers out of the area.
Silverton is a town of 600 people about 350 miles southwest of Denver.
What to know about avalanches
Avalanches happen quickly and catch people by surprise. They can move between 60 and 80 mph and typically happen on slopes of 30-45 degrees, according to experts.
Skiers, snowmobilers and hikers can set off an avalanche when a layer of snow collapses and starts to slide down the slope.
In the U.S., avalanches are most common from December to April, but they can happen at any time if the conditions are right, National Geographic reported.
At least 24 in the U.S. have died in avalanches this season as of Tuesday, May 2, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
People heading into snow should always check the local avalanche forecast at Avalanche.org, officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture said, and have an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel ready.
“Emergency services are usually too far away from the scene of an avalanche, and time is important,” Simon Trautman, a national avalanche specialist, said. “A person trapped under the snow may not have more than 20 or 30 minutes. So, in a backcountry scenario, you are your own rescue party.”
If an avalanche breaks out, it’s best to move diagonal to the avalanche to an edge, Trautman said.
“Try to orient your feet downhill so that your lower body, not your head, takes most of the impact,” officials said. “You may also get into a tight ball as another way to protect your head.”
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