3 skiers killed in 2 separate avalanches in Oregon and California
"We extend our deepest condolences to all who loved the couple who tragically lost their lives while doing what they loved," the Central Oregon Avalanche Center wrote in a statement.
A couple in Central Oregon was found dead after being caught in an avalanche while skiing the day after another person was killed in a separate avalanche in California.
"I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the couple who lost their lives in the avalanche while enjoying the Central Oregon backcountry," said Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp in a statement. "Their long history in our community and the lives they touched are a testament to the spirit and resilience that make Central Oregon such a special place to live. "
On Tuesday, the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported avalanche burial near Broken Top, Oregon, around 185 miles southeast of Portland, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Two bodies were recovered at the scene.
Authorities believe the couple was skiing when the avalanche occurred, according to the Central Oregon Avalanche Center.
"We extend our deepest condolences to all who loved the couple who tragically lost their lives while doing what they loved," the center wrote in a statement. "As longtime residents of Central Oregon, they have touched many lives, and their legacy will continue to live on in our community."
The victim's identities will not be released at this time, police said.
Where did the avalanche happen?
The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Unit recovered the couple from Trail 8 on snow-covered Forest Service Road 370, between the Bend Watershed and Broken Top area in an area known as Happy Valley.
"The avalanche occurred at 6,700 ft. on a South facing slope," according to the Avalanche Center.
The avalanche was rated as a D2, according to the center.
D2 avalanches are typically the length of a football field and are capable of burying, injuring, or killing a person, according to Avalanche.org.
Police asked people to stay away from the area and to know that avalanche danger in the Central Cascades area "is moderate to considerable."
"Please use extreme caution when recreating in the areas and check coavalanche.org for more information, including forecasts and observations," police said.
Skier killed in California
Another skier, in an avalanche separate from the one in Oregon, was killed near Powderhouse Peak in California, around 111 miles east of Sacramento, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office.
On Monday, the victim was reported overdue to the county's dispatch, police said. The skier was later found dead by friends in an avalanche area.
Dangerous snow conditions caused the recovery to be delayed until Tuesday morning. At 5 p.m. Tuesday, the victim's body was recovered after further avalanche danger was mitigated, police said.
"The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office wishes to remind everyone to be safe and exercise caution when recreating in the outdoors," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
The victim's identity will not be released at this time, police said.
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