Avalanches continue to claim lives across the globe and this past week was particularly tragic with some 7 people perishing in avalanche-related deaths.
According to various media sources, the fatal slides were reported in Montana, Idaho, Utah, Canada, Japan, Spain and even Kosovo.
On Friday in Montana, a group of backcountry ski tourers triggered a large avalanche and while two were caught in the slide, only one was killed. The deceased victim has been identified as 35 year-old San Francisco resident, Benjamin Hirsch-McShane.
Yesterday (1/25) in the Tobacco Roots two skiers were partially buried in a large avalanche. One died from trauma, and the other was air-lifted to emergency care with serious injuries. We will publish a detailed accident report asap.
Preliminary details: https://t.co/tJAZcK6R2p— GNF Avalanche Center (@GNF_Avalanche) January 27, 2019
On Friday in Idaho, Tommy Hawkins of Layton Utah perished in an avalanche while snowmobiling in the Upper Palisades Lake near Swan Valley. The following day in southern Utah, 39 year-old Scott Pehrson Jr. died in an avalanche while snowmobiling in the La Sal mountains.
Meanwhile across the pond, two fatalities were also reported over the weekend with one happening in Kosovo and one happening at the Spanish ski area of Baqueira Beret. The avalanche fatality in Kosovo included a deputy minister of the nation’s government.
On Friday in Japan, a 49 year-old French national fell victim to an avalanche in the Niigata prefecture on the nation’s southern island.
*Our deepest condolences go out to all the victims’ friends and family.