The two men were traveling near Winter Park when they were hit by a snow wave on the east face of Mount Epworth, authorities said. Until now, the identity of the victims has been withheld.

Two snowmobile drivers were buried in an avalanche in Colorado, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC).

It would be the third instance of a fatal avalanche this season, and the third and fourth deaths, respectively.

According to official records, one of the riders, a 58-year-old man from northern Colorado, was found by other snowmobiles because they had a transponder, but CPR efforts were unsuccessful and the individual was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Bureau. of the Grand County Sheriff.

Emergency search teams found the body of the second victim, a 52-year-old man from northern Colorado, on Sunday, the sheriff’s office said.

Authorities said both bodies were taken to the Grand County Coroner’s Office, where they will be identified and the official cause of death confirmed.

“Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of those involved in this tragic accident,” the Colorado Avalanche Information Center said in a statement Sunday.

The avalanche itself occurred around 11,600 feet, according to the CAIC, which noted: “Colorado’s snowpack is currently very dangerous and will remain so for many weeks to come,” they said.

“It is unlikely that it will have obvious signs of instability such as natural avalanches, cracks and landslides. A slab that breaks like glass and thick blocks of snow that drag you into an avalanche impossible to survive… During this period of very serious consequences, avoid being on, under or near slopes steeper than about 30 degrees unless you know that there is not a weak layer below you”, he emphasized.

Categorized in:

Tagged in: