Final moments of 'supermom' skiers struck by Calif. avalanche revealed in 911 call

A harrowing 911 call has surfaced, capturing the desperate final moments of a group of skiers, often celebrated as “supermoms,” who met their tragic end in California’s most lethal avalanche, which claimed nine lives.

During the call, made around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, a dispatcher reports, “Medical for avalanche in the area of Castle Peak reported as 9 to 10 people, three buried, others attempting to dig them out.”

The devastating avalanche swept through a party of 11 clients and four guides, all engaging in backcountry skiing adventures in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California.

Search and rescue teams were deployed without delay, but it took them approximately six hours to navigate to the remote avalanche site.


Search and rescue crews were dispatched immediately but it took roughly six hours to reach the remote site near California’s Lake Tahoe. REUTERS

Once the rescuers reached the location, they discovered four men and two women grouped together, struggling to stay warm after managing to unearth three of their companions who had already succumbed to the snow.

Subsequent recovery efforts led to the retrieval of five additional bodies, escalating the grim death toll to nine. This included one individual who had been initially reported missing but is now considered deceased.

The victims have since been identified as six moms — Carrie Atkin, Kate Morse, Danielle Keatley, Caroline Sekar, Kate Vitt and Liz Claubaugh — along with three tour guides, all employees of Blackbird Mountain Guides: Michael Henry, Andrew Alissandratos and Nicole Choo.

Their bodies were recovered Friday and Saturday after an around-the-clock search in the backcountry terrain.


Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Post Opinion
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!
California Post App: Download here!
Home delivery: Sign up here!
Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!


You May Also Like
Stacey King funeral: Celebration of life honors Chicago Bulls legend, 3-time NBA champion, broadcaster, who died at 59

Stacey King Remembered: Chicago Bulls Champion and Broadcaster Honored at Celebration of Life

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. (WLS) — Family, friends and former colleagues gathered Thursday…
Austin Metcalf’s dad supported Karmelo Anthony judge’s hard line on cameras

Jeff Metcalf Breaks His Silence on Son Austin’s Death—How His Family Is Finding Strength and Moving Forward

FRISCO, Texas — Jeff Metcalf, whose son Austin Metcalf was killed in…
Iran regime power players may eye Russia in Assad-style escape as US talks falter: expert

Iran Deal Architect Warns: Tehran May Walk Away if Trump Fails to Deliver on US Promises

Iranian Parliament Speaker and senior negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran will…
Former child actor Daveigh Chase, voice of Lilo from 'Lilo & Stitch' and "The Ring' villain, dies at 35

Daveigh Chase, Voice of Lilo in ‘Lilo & Stitch’ and Star of ‘The Ring,’ Dies at 35

LOS ANGELES — Daveigh Chase, the former child actor best known as…
Trump awards Medal of Honor to 3 veterans of the Vietnam, Afghanistan wars

Trump presents Medal of Honor to three veterans of the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars

President Trump on Thursday awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest…
Israel launches 'Biblical Highway' amid campaign to erase Jewish history

Israel’s “Biblical Highway”: New Route Counters Efforts to Erase Jewish History

Israel to inaugurate a new ‘Biblical Highway’ Israel’s government on Tuesday approved…
6-year-old stung by invasive clinging jellyfish in New Jersey's Metedeconk River

6-Year-Old Stung by Invasive Clinging Jellyfish in New Jersey River

BRICK, N.J. — A 6-year-old girl is recovering after a painful run-in…
Poll: Strong Majority of U.S. Voters Approve of Trump's Iran Deal

Poll finds strong majority of U.S. voters approve of Trump’s Iran deal

A preliminary agreement signed by the United States and Iran is drawing…
Elon Musk demands prison for politicians who 'turned a blind eye' to grooming gangs as new report released

Elon Musk Calls for Jail Time for Politicians Who Ignored Grooming Gangs, Explosive New Report Reveals

Elon Musk thrust Britain’s grooming gangs scandal back into the international spotlight…
Hegseth announces review of U.S. forces in Europe, blasts

Hegseth Orders Review of U.S. Troops in Europe, Sharpens Criticism of NATO Allies

The Pentagon will begin a six-month review of U.S. troop levels and…
Less than half of Americans can afford quality healthcare, Gallup finds

Gallup: Fewer Than Half of Americans Can Afford Quality Healthcare

Fewer than half of Americans were able to afford medical bills and…
Evanston's Juneteenth parade to honor legacy of Opal Lee with granddaughter, Dione Sims, as grand marshal

Evanston’s Juneteenth Parade to Honor Opal Lee’s Legacy, with Granddaughter Dione Sims Named Grand Marshal

EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) — Evanston’s yearly Juneteenth parade is set to start…