Tragedy struck in Utah this week as two separate avalanches claimed the lives of an 11-year-old girl and a father, highlighting the dangers of winter sports in the region. These incidents mark the season’s first two avalanche-related fatalities in the state.
The young victim, Madelyn Eitas from Rochester, Massachusetts, was enjoying a day of backcountry skiing with her family near the Brighton Ski Resort on Thursday when disaster struck. According to FOX13 Salt Lake City, she became buried in an avalanche in an area known as The Rock Garden, which is located outside the resort’s official boundaries.
The rescue teams arrived swiftly, but reports indicate that Madelyn had been trapped beneath the snow for as long as 30 minutes. Despite their valiant efforts, and immediate first aid administered at the scene, she succumbed to her injuries after being transported to a hospital, as confirmed by the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake.
“Notifying families in such heartbreaking circumstances is profoundly somber,” remarked Detective Quin Wilkins of the Unified Police, reflecting on the gravity of the situation.
These tragic events serve as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with venturing into the backcountry during avalanche season, urging outdoor enthusiasts to exercise caution and prioritize safety.
“It’s a very, very solemn and depressing thing to notify people of,” Unified Police Det. Quin Wilkins told the station.
The child’s death came a day after another avalanche in Wasatch County killed a father.
The father was snowmobiling with his juvenile son in the Snake Creek area west of Midway when the slide buried him, the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office said. First responders, however, were unable to immediately reach the scene due to hazardous conditions.
The father was snowmobiling with his juvenile son in the Snake Creek area west of Midway when the slide buried him, the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office said. (Utah Avalanche Center)
The son was able to use an avalanche beacon to find his father and dig him out of the snow, according to officials. Despite the son’s efforts, his father died at the scene.
“The Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all those affected by this tragic incident,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “We also recognize the courageous efforts of the juvenile involved and the responding personnel who assisted in this difficult situation. Our thoughts are with all those impacted.”
Officials have warned the public to stay away from the backcountry this weekend following the two avalanche deaths.
Search and rescue officials warned the public about dangerous conditions on the mountains in Utah this season following the two fatalities. (Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office)
“Conditions on the mountain are as bad as they have been all winter!” Wasatch Search and Rescue commander Kam Kohler told FOX13. “The deepest, softest snow is the most treacherous right now. It’s really, for most places, a no-go!”
Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera echoed concerns about dangerous conditions.
“This winter has created layers within the snowpack that can be unpredictable,” Rivera said in a statement. “We want people to enjoy the Cottonwood Canyons, but safety must come first. When conditions are unstable, the smartest decision may be to avoid backcountry recreation altogether.”
The deaths in Utah happened in the same week that an avalanche in Northern California killed eight skiers, including six mothers taking a trip together, near Lake Tahoe. Six other skiers in the group were rescued, while one additional person was presumed dead.
