1 killed, 3 injured in avalanche at Palisades Tahoe ski resort, California officials say
One person was killed and three others were injured as a result of an avalanche that hit the Lake Tahoe area on Wednesday morning, authorities confirmed.
Placer County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Sgt. David Smith told USA TODAY that search efforts had concluded, after officials were forced to close Palisades Tahoe, a ski resort over 100 miles north of Sacramento to search for victims and survivors.
"A male skier sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased by Tahoe Forest Hospital. Three other skiers sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were released after initial treatment," according to a statement issued by Palisades Tahoe.
Palisades avalanche reported about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday
There have haven't been any other missing persons reported, the post stated.
The avalanche was first reported about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Palisades Tahoe. The slide occurred near an expert run at the resort called KT-22, according to a social media post from Palisades Tahoe resort.
A local fire department responded to the resort for "word of an avalanche in the ski area," the post stated.
Multiple agencies in the area began to pool resources to assist Palisades Ski Patrol, who confirmed that an avalanche had occurred in the GS gully area, to the skier’s right of the KT-22 chairlift.
Over 100 Palisades Tahoe personnel and members of the public assisted first responders with the search and rescue operation.
Some of the tools used in Wednesday's search included avalanche transceivers, probes, RECCO Rescue System technology, and avalanche rescue dog teams, the statement reads.
"The entire Palisades Tahoe team, including all of the first responders, extend their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of those involved in the incident," according to Palisades Tahoe.
The cause of the avalanche is still under investigation, according to the ski resort's statement.
The mountain will remain closed for the rest of the day, stating that the avalanche debris field is approximately 150 feet wide, 450 feet long and 10 feet deep, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Palisades avalanche press conference
Smith said in a press conference Wednesday afternoon that the man who died as a result of the avalanche was a guest at Palisades Tahoe.
Smith declined to share are any other details about the man, stating that they would wait until the coroner's office concluded its investigation before they release any more information.
Law enforcement authorities and officials from the resort reported that the others who were swept up in the avalanche suffered minor injuries.
"We have come to the conclusion that there is nobody else on the mountain as a result of the avalanche," Smith said.
Palisades Tahoe President Dee Byrne, said it "was a very sad day for her team and for everyone here," stating that the incident was a "dynamic situation."
"We're still undergoing investigation," stating that they would be working with our agencies, our partners as they learn more and confirm the facts regarding the circumstances leading up to the avalanche, Byrne said.
The resort's ski patrol had done avalanche control assessments since Sunday, evaluating weather conditions and doing control work to ensure that the terrain was prepared for Wednesday's opening, which was the first day of the season, according to Michael Gross, vice president of operations.
"I appreciate your patience as we work through this. I appreciate the support that you provide to our community, to one another. And we're going to continue to do that as well," Byrne said.