MILLCREEK, Utah – Four skiers died after an avalanche in Millcreek Canyon.
The Unified Police said it received a “weak” distress call around 11:40 am on Saturday. Despite poor cell phone reception in the area, they were able to determine that the landslide happened in the Wilson Glade area of Wilson Fork. Also nearby is Alexander Basin and Gobblers Knob.
Later, the UPD confirmed that four of the skiers were dead and four others alive. All eight had avalanche headlights.
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The survivors’ medical status was not immediately available, but officials say they managed to leave the scene. The surviving skiers were also able to locate and dig up the other four, but they were already dead.
Search and rescue teams from various agencies are working to recover the bodies in a way that does not further put crews at risk of being caught by another avalanche.
The names of the victims have not yet been released.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic news of four deaths as a result of an avalanche in the Millcreek Canyon area this afternoon,” wrote Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson in a statement. “We deeply regret the loss of life due to this devastating incident. “
The incident is the first deadly avalanche in Salt Lake County this winter. There were two others last month in the Park City backcountry: skier in the Square Top area it is a snowboarder in the dutch draw, respectively.
Governor Spencer Cox also issued a statement, writing on Twitter:
- “This is a terrible tragedy and our prayers go out to the victims and families involved. We are grateful to the first respondents and others who were involved in this rescue and recovery effort. With the danger of a high avalanche now, please be extremely careful. “
The Utah Avalanche Center reports that an avalanche was triggered remotely in the same general area just the day before. Nobody got caught in that.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.