Two skiers were killed and one was rescued after an avalanche on a mountain outside Salt Lake City, Utah, on Thursday, officials said.
The avalanche occurred at Lone Peak Canyon, about 35 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, at around 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Three skiers were "caught, carried, and buried" in the snow, according to a statement from the Unified Police Department of Salt Lake.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene to assist in rescue efforts, and about two hours after the initial report, a helicopter airlifted the surviving skier off the mountain. The skier, who was not identified, was able to dig himself out of the snow, and was transported to a hospital in fair condition, officials said.
The two deceased skiers, who were not named but were described as being ages 23 and 32, were located, but rescuers were unable to retrieve their bodies due to weather conditions. One of the men is from Utah, and the other is from out of state.
The Utah Avalanche Center confirmed that recovery efforts were suspended Thursday afternoon, and were expected to resume Friday morning.
"This is a tragedy, and our hearts are with the families and outdoor community that these individuals were actively engaged in," Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said in a statement.
"These were experienced skiers and reports indicate they were well prepared for the journey they set out on today," she added. "This is a reminder that mother nature can be unpredictable, and we encourage everyone to be mindful of the dangers of the late snowpack and spring runoff."
-With reporting from TMX.
