An avalanche on the roof of a Colorado home left two teenagers buried in snow and one seriously injured, authorities said.
Two teens were playing outside their home in Breckenridge, Colorado, when snow fell from the roof, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC).
The teens were partially buried in the snow, and one of them suffered serious injuries in the potentially fatal incident.
CAIC Director Ethan Green said: “This is a tragic accident. As with all avalanche accidents, we want to warn people to avoid being involved in a similar accident.” “Roof avalanches are an annual problem in mountain communities, but we are currently experiencing significant amounts of snow in unusual locations. We continue to be concerned about this hazard throughout this week.”
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This roof avalanche image was taken on March 15, 2024 in Coal Creek Canyon. (Mike Cooperstein, Colorado Avalanche Information Center website)
Breckenridge is located approximately 130 miles west of Denver in the foothills of what is known as the Tenmile Range of the Rocky Mountains.
CAIC said roof avalanches can cause serious injuries and even death.
Roof avalanches can occur during large snowstorms or when temperatures suddenly rise after a severe storm.
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The avalanche occurred near Peak 10 in a backcountry area known as Numbers, southwest of Breckenridge and outside Breckenridge Ski Resort. (via Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Avalanche Information Center)
The last fatal roof avalanche occurred on March 16, 2023, near Durango, according to CAIC. The avalanche buried two children and a father, and tragically one of the children died.
Five people have died in roof avalanches in Colorado over the past 30 years, but CAIC said there have been many more injuries and close calls.
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If you have a thick layer of snow on your roof, officials recommend being aware of the situation and keeping a shovel nearby to find victims if they become buried.
