Six people were successfully rescued amid continued search efforts for backcountry skiers reported missing after an avalanche that took place in northern California on Tuesday (February 17), ABC News reports.
A search and rescue operation is ongoing amid “highly dangerous” conditions after an avalanche was reported in the Castle Peak area in the Sierra Nevada, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. A group of 15 skiers were reported to have encountered the avalanche on Tuesday, according to the department.
The six people rescued Tuesday evening were reported to be found by first responders with varying injuries, while nine others are still missing, according to authorities.
“Due to extreme weather conditions, it took several hours for rescue personnel to safely reach the skiers and transport them to safety where they were medically evaluated by Truckee Fire,” the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement obtained by ABC News. “Two of the six skiers have been transported to a hospital for treatment.”
Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said it was a priority to take care of the six survivors and authorities would continue to locate the remaining missing individuals once that process is completed. First responders faced difficult conditions on Tuesday, including their own avalanche danger, according to Brandon Schwartz, director of the Sierra Avalanche Center, which forecasts conditions in the area and reported 2 to 3 feet of new snow during the last 36 hours, as well as an additional 2 to 4 inches of snow per hour, via ABC News.
Recent Comments