Avalanche kills five snowboarders in Colorado
Posted Apr 21, 2013 6:21 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
GEORGETOWN, Colo. – Authorities have recovered the bodies of five snowboarders who were killed in a backcountry avalanche on Colorado’s Loveland Pass.
Multiple search and rescue crews located the bodies Saturday. A sixth snowboarder survived the slide, but there condition was unknown.
Authorities say they’re pretty certain the snowboarders triggered the avalanche, which was about 600 metres wide and three metres deep.
Lisa Clarke Devore, who was headed back to Denver from the resort, told The Associated Press she saw a fire truck and ambulance on the pass, as well two search dogs headed into the area of the slide. She says she saw several ambulances, including one towing snowmobiles, headed toward the pass.
The pass, elevation of 11,990 feet, is popular among backcountry skiers and snowboarders.
On Thursday, a 38-year-old snowboarder died in an avalanche south of Vail Pass. Eagle County sheriff’s officials said the man and another snowboarder likely triggered the slide after a friend on a snowmobile dropped them off at the top of Avalanche Bowl.
