An avalanche in a remote part of Utah on Thursday (May 9) left two skiers dead and a third hospitalized. The three skiers were near Lone Peak, which was recently hit with a late-season storm that dumped 30 inches of snow across the mountains. Officials said that the terrain was dangerous and suitable for advanced skiers only.
Authorities received reports of the avalanche around 10 a.m. and dispatched a helicopter to try to find the group of skiers. After several hours, they determined that two of the men, aged 23 and 32, had died, but they could not retrieve their bodies due to the conditions on the mountain.
The rescue workers managed to find the other man, who dug himself out and called for help. He was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Officials said that crews were engaging in "mitigation" efforts to make the area safe so they could retrieve the bodies of the two men who died.
The Colorado Avalance Center said that 15 people, including the two from Thursday, have died during the 2023-2024 season.