Current:Home > ScamsIdaho doctor killed after triggering avalanche while backcountry skiing, report says -Quantum Capital Pro
Idaho doctor killed after triggering avalanche while backcountry skiing, report says
View
Date:2025-04-18 05:23:28
A prominent Idaho emergency room doctor, known as an experienced backcountry skier, was killed after he triggered an avalanche while skiing Friday, a preliminary report found.
Two experienced backcountry skiers were traveling on Donaldson Peak in Idaho's Lost River Range on Friday when one of the skiers died after being buried by an avalanche, the Sawtooth Avalanche Center and Colorado Avalanche Information Center said in the report published Saturday. The skier was identified by the Custer County Coroner's Office as Dr. Terrence "Terry" O’Connor, 48, the Idaho Mountain Express reported.
The accident occurred around 11:55 a.m., according to the report. The two skiers were climbing down to their ski descent when O’Connor "triggered and was caught in a small wind slab avalanche," the report said.
The slide then carried O’Connor downhill, causing a second and larger avalanche, the report added. O'Connor's skiing partner, who was not identified, used a satellite communication device to call for help before skiing down the avalanche path to locate O'Connor.
The skiing partner was able to find O'Connor with her rescue transceiver and probe pole, according to the report. O'Connor was buried under at least 5 feet of snow.
She dug him out of the snow with a shovel and began CPR, the report added. Search and rescue teams responded and evacuated O'Connor, but he did not survive the accident.
Friday's accident is the latest avalanche fatality in the United States. According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, dozens of avalanche fatalities occur each year, mostly involving backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers.
As of Sunday, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center said there have been 16 avalanche fatalities, including 10 skiers, for the 2023-2024 winter season. There was a total of 30 avalanche fatalities during the previous season.
Snow sports come with risks:Avalanches are a reminder of the dangers of snow sports
Victim remembered as an 'outstanding physician'
O'Connor was a physician at St. Luke’s Wood River Emergency Department in Ketchum, Idaho, according to the hospital's website. The Idaho EMS Physician Commission confirmed O'Connor's death in a statement posted Saturday on Facebook.
"Terry was an outstanding physician and played a pivotal role in the early days of the COVID pandemic really demonstrating the public health role of the EMS medical director within a community," the commission said. "His loss will be missed not only in the valley itself but throughout the entire state and region."
In a blog post from 2021, the hospital noted O'Connor's commitment to the Wood River Valley community during the coronavirus pandemic. He was also a principal investigator of a COVID-19 study about new variants and immune response to the virus.
Outside of his work, O'Connor had also been a bike tour guide, a ski patroller, a National Park Service climbing ranger, an ultramarathon, and a backcountry skier, according to the blog post.
Latest avalanche accident this year
O'Connor's death is the third avalanche fatality in May, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
On Thursday, two skiers were killed in an avalanche in Lone Peak Canyon, a mountain summit in the southeast area of Salt Lake City, Utah. A third skier survived the accident and was rescued and taken to a hospital after he was "able to dig himself out," authorities said.
There were five fatalities in March, in which backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers were caught and killed in separate avalanches. In January, Colorado officials warned winter recreationists against going into the backcountry and issued several special avalanche advisories.
"Climbers, backcountry skiers, and snowmobilers are by far the most likely to be involved in avalanches," according to the U.S. Forest Service. "One of the major reasons for increasing avalanche fatalities is the boom in mountain industries and recreation."
Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY
veryGood! (4)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- British energy giant reports violating toxic pollutant limits at Louisiana wood pellet facilities
- News outlets were leaked insider material from the Trump campaign. They chose not to print it
- As Olympic flag lands in Los Angeles, pressure turns up for 2028 Summer Games
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- An ex-Kansas police chief who led a raid on a newspaper is charged with obstruction of justice
- Victor Wembanyama warns opponents ‘everywhere’ after gold medal loss to USA
- Young Thug racketeering and gang trial resumes with new judge presiding
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- Sur La Table Flash Sale: $430 Le Creuset Dutch Oven For $278 & More 65% Off Kitchen Deals Starting at $7
Ranking
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Vince Vaughn makes rare appearance with children at Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony
- Kevin Durant invests in Paris Saint-Germain, adding to his ownership portfolio
- Illinois sheriff to retire amid criticism over the killing of Sonya Massey | The Excerpt
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- 2024 Olympics: USA Gymnastics' Appeal for Jordan Chiles' Medal Rejected
- Grant Ellis named the new Bachelor following his elimination from 'The Bachelorette'
- Chicago-area school worker who stole chicken wings during pandemic gets 9 years: Reports
Recommendation
$73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
Charli XCX and The 1975's George Daniel Pack on the PDA During Rare Outing
Porsha Williams Mourns Death of Cousin and Costar Yolanda “Londie” Favors
Jordan Chiles medal inquiry: USA Gymnastics says arbitration panel won’t reconsider decision
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
Kourtney Kardashian, Blake Lively, and Kate Hudson's Favorite BaubleBar Halloween Earrings Are Back!
Pokémon Voice Actor Rachael Lillis Dead at 46
Wildfire along California-Nevada line near Reno destroys 1 home, threatens hundreds more