Image courtesy Utah Avalanche Center.
ALTA — A man suffered injuries that reportedly included a broken rib after he was in the path of an avalanche that was inadvertently triggered, and the man was able to ski down away from the slide to where his car was located so medical responders could treat him.
According to information from the Utah Avalanche Center, the slide occurred in the Alta ski area near Collins Gulch-Baldy Shoulder. The avalanche was triggered by a skier who was in loose, wet snow.
Alta has been closed for the area, so the skier was in uncontrolled avalanche terrain. The reporting party stated they were touring up to the top of Wildcat lift when they saw two slide paths coming down into Collins Gulch. The person observed one person in the slide, and they said that person was up and moving out of the slide shortly after the debris stopped moving.
The person who reported the avalanche rode to the bottom, and shortly after they reached their car the victim came down on skis and told the other person he had suffered a broken rib and other injuries when the slide pushed him over a cliff. The reporting party helped the man with his gear and waited for paramedics to arrive.
Visit Utah Avalanche Center for safety tips and information on avalanche danger and forecasts.
