MILLCREEK, Utah – Four skiers were killed after an avalanche in Millcreek Canyon.
United police said they received a “faint” emergency call around 11:40 a.m. Saturday. Despite poor reception of cell phones in the area, they were able to determine that the slide occurred in the Wilson Glade area of Wilson Fork. It is also close to Alexander Basin and Gobblers Knob.
UPD later confirmed that four of the skiers were dead and four others were alive. All eight had avalanche beacons.
READ: Utah avalanche forecasters warn of danger in rural areas this weekend
The medical status of the survivors was not immediately available, but officials say they were able to dig themselves out. The surviving skiers were also able to locate and excavate the other four, but they are already dead.
Search and rescue teams from various agencies are repairing the bodies in a way that will not further endanger the crew from being caught in another avalanche.
The names of the victims have not yet been released.
“We are saddened by the tragic news of four deaths following an avalanche in the Millcreek Canyon area this afternoon,” Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said in a statement. ‘We regret the loss of life as a result of this devastating incident. ”
The incident is the first deadly avalanche in Salt Lake County this winter season. There were two others in Park City last month: A skier in the Square Top area en a snowboarder in Dutch Draw, respectively.
Government Spencer Cox also issued a statement, writing on Twitter:
- “It is a terrible tragedy and our prayers go out to the victims and families involved. We are grateful to the first responders and others who made this rescue and recovery effort. Please be extremely careful with a major avalanche danger.”
The Utah Avalanche Center reports that an avalanche occurred only one day earlier in the same general area. No one is trapped in it.
This is an evolving story and will be updated as more information becomes available.