Dramatic video shows the race to rescue survivors after an avalanche at Squaw Valley. Witnesses describe a huge wall of snow slamming into more than a dozen skiers and borders. This group dug out a man buried. At this point it's believed everyone survived. pic.twitter.com/7HsI1mrzo3
— Tom Miller (Real) (@TomMillerNews) March 3, 2018
An inbounds avalanche at Squaw Valley on Friday caught five people. The slide occurred off of KT-22, on the east side between red dog ridge trees and oly lady lift.
More than 100 search and rescue officials and several rescue dogs responded to Squaw Valley Ski Resort after the avalanche roared down a mountain near the Olympic Lady chairlift around 1:40 p.m., according to a statement from the resort.
Two women and three men were eventually rescued from beneath the snow. One person suffered a “serious lower body injury” and was hospitalized.
Placer County sheriff’s officials said none of the injuries were life-threatening, and the other three people were able to leave the scene unharmed.
Official Statement From Squaw/Alpine:
Olympic Valley, Calif.) March 2, 2018 – At 1:40pm today, guests reported an inbounds avalanche in an area near Olympic Lady chairlift at Squaw Valley Ski Resort. Squaw Valley Ski Patrol and Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol immediately responded to the scene, and were joined by Placer County Sherriff’s Office, North Tahoe Fire, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, and Homewood Ski Patrol. Five guests were caught in the avalanche, two females and three males. One guest suffered a serious lower body injury and was transported by North Tahoe Fire Department to Tahoe Forest Hospital. Another guest was rescued by Squaw Valley rescue teams, transported to the Tahoe Truckee Medical Group at the base of Squaw Valley, and then was subsequently released. The three other guests who were caught in the avalanche left the scene unharmed. In total, over 100 professional ski patrollers, emergency responders, and multiple avalanche rescue dogs responded to the incident. Rescue teams performed numerous searches and ultimately cleared the scene. All reported missing persons are accounted for at this time, and search operations have officially concluded.
The trigger of the avalanche is unknown at this time, but a full investigation of the incident and its cause will be conducted.
Squaw Valley is closed for the remainder of the day due to avalanche hazard.
The safety of our guests and staff is of the utmost importance to us. We hope for the full and speedy recovery of the injured guests, and extend our thoughts and support to all those involved. The Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows team extends its immense appreciation for the professionalism of all of the staff and responding agencies involved in this incident.