The bodies of three skiers buried in an avalanche in Colorado’s hinterland have been recovered and identified, officials said Wednesday.
The skiers were part of a group that caused the avalanche on Monday in the northern San Juan mountain zone between the towns of Silverton and Ophir, an area known locally as The Nose, the emergency management office in San Juan said.
SKIER Buried after the avalanche of avalanche in UTAH REAR CONFIRMED DEATH, BODY RESTORED, OFFICERS
According to officials, a fourth skier was also caught in the slide and completely buried. Members of the ski group rescued the skier, who sustained minor injuries.
Crews faced treacherous conditions and increased avalanche activity on the mountain that hampered the recovery operation for nearly two days, the agency said.
Crews reached the area Wednesday and “worked all day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.” to locate the missing skiers, officials said. The skiers wore beacons that enabled rescuers to locate their bodies among more than 20 feet of avalanche debris.
The agency has not yet officially released the names of the skiers, but the Eagle County government has issued a statement identifying them as Seth Bossung, Andy Jessen and Adam Palmer, all prominent members of the local community.
“Our hearts are heavy with the loss of these three men,” the statement said. “Their contributions through their work in local authorities and local businesses, as well as their personal passions and their impact on the friends and family members they leave behind, have helped shape the community in ways that will last forever.”
The Colorado Sun reported that Bossung managed projects for the province’s energy efficiency division; Jessen was the owner of Bonfire Brewery; and Palmer, a member of the Board of Trustees, led the Sustainable Communities program.
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San Juan County rescue officials said bad weather prevented the crew from transporting the bodies of the men by helicopter immediately from the mountain. If the circumstances are clear, a helicopter will transport the bodies to the coroner’s office in San Juan.
Emergency officials have warned of the ‘unpredictable’ dangers of avalanche activity in the country, and encouraged those who dare to investigate the avalanche conditions and be well-equipped in advance.