A Colorado doctor died Monday when he was caught in an avalanche while snowboarding in the backcountry, authorities said, becoming the state's first recorded avalanche casualty this season.
According to the San Miguel County Sheriff's Office, Peter Harrelson, 67, a physician and longtime Ophir resident, left around noon for a remote trip to the Waterfall Creek area south of his hometown near Telluride. Ta.
Authorities began an overdue search-and-rescue operation for the doctor after receiving a call around 7:40 p.m. that Harrelson had not yet returned from a trip to the San Miguel Mountains.
Harrelson's friends and family tracked his footprints that night but were unable to find him, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) said in a preliminary report.
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Search and rescue teams discovered Harrelson's body Tuesday morning. (San Miguel County Sheriff's Office)
Crews resumed the search Tuesday morning, using air resources and bomb mitigation to send rescue teams deep into the mountains, the sheriff's office said.
The team searched for Harrelson in the Waterfall Creek area of the San Miguel Mountains south of Telluride. (San Miguel County Sheriff's Office)
Harrelson's body was found early that morning with injuries that appeared to have caused him to be swept away by an avalanche.
Harrelson appears to have suffered trauma from being caught in an avalanche. (San Miguel County Sheriff's Office)
“On behalf of the entire Sheriff's Office and search and rescue team, we would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of this gentleman,” Sheriff Bill Masters said. “I would also like to thank our SAR team for their work in this inherently dangerous mission.”
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The avalanche occurred on the northwest face below treeline at an elevation of 10,500 feet, according to CAIC.
Ground teams and helicopters participated in the search operation. (San Miguel County Sheriff's Office)
San Miguel County Coroner Emil Sante told the Montrose Daily Press that Harrelson was swept 200 to 300 feet by the avalanche but was able to dig himself out. Sante said the doctor appeared to have walked another 200 to 300 feet before lying down under a tree and dying.
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Harrelson's death was the first avalanche fatality recorded in Colorado this season, the agency said. Last season, there were 11 fatal avalanche accidents in the state.
