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

Sean Duffy reveals when airport travel delays should finally end after FAA's nationwide ground stop

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy: When FAA Delays May End

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Sunday that the nationwide air travel disruption…
Murders plunge in US cities as Americans reclaim their streets from thugs

Murders Fall in US Cities as Residents Seek Safer Streets

Concerns about crime have remained at the center of voter discussions through…
Teen suspect in deadly mass shooting at Fairfield Spirit Halloween appears in court

Teen Suspect Appears in Court After Deadly Fairfield Spirit Halloween Shooting

A 17-year-old accused of killing a pregnant woman and wounding six other…
Alaska high school football star dies after suddenly collapsing in gym class

Alaska High School Football Star Dies After Collapsing in Gym Class

A 15-year-old high school football standout died after suffering cardiac arrest and…
Georgia student’s first words revealed after she survived 8-story drunken fall from dorm while listening to Miley Cyrus

Georgia Student’s First Words Revealed After Surviving Eight-Story Dorm Fall While Listening to Miley Cyrus

A Georgia college student who miraculously survived an eight-story fall had been…
FAA says air travel should be back to normal Sunday after nationwide ground stop

FAA Expects Flights to Return to Normal Sunday After Ground Stop

The nation’s air travel operations are expected to return to normal by…
'Naked and Afraid' star wins big payout after boss downloaded her uncensored pics from show

Naked and Afraid’ Star Wins Payout After Boss Downloaded Photos

A former “Naked and Afraid” contestant received a $175,000 settlement after accusing…
Megaspeed says Alice Huang left in 2025 as company conducts internal probe over Nvidia fallout

Megaspeed Says Alice Huang Left Amid Nvidia Fallout Probe

Singapore-based cloud computing firm Megaspeed International said Sunday that Chinese businesswoman Alice…
FAA router in middle-of-nowhere Arkansas identified as cause of nationwide flight chaos

Arkansas FAA Router Identified as Cause of Nationwide Flight Chaos

A single faulty FAA router in rural Arkansas appears to have triggered…
A timeline of Trump administration's response to FAA ground stop

Timeline: Trump Administration’s Response to the FAA Ground Stop

President Trump was briefed within 30 minutes of the Federal Aviation Administration…
Massive wave damages Capitola Wharf as evacuation warning issued

Massive Waves Damage Capitola Wharf as Evacuation Warning Issued in California

Terrifying video captured the moment a freak wave smashed through a pier…
Fetterman admits he can't find 'common ground' about Israel with far-left

Fetterman Says He Can’t Find Common Ground With the Far Left on Israel

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., told Fox News on Saturday that he no…