Avalanche Claims Lives of Two Snowmobilers in Washington State
Authorities in Washington state reported that last week, two men lost their lives when an avalanche hit a group of snowmobilers.
The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office indicated that this incident took place on Friday afternoon in a remote region close to Longs Pass, a well-known hiking area within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
“On January 9, around 4 p.m., four men were caught in an avalanche while enjoying winter recreation in the backcountry near Longs Pass,” the department noted in an announcement.
The victims were identified as Paul Markoff, 38, from North Bend, and Eric Henne, 43, from Snoqualmie Pass. According to officials speaking with local media on Sunday, one victim was partially buried and efforts were made by others to rescue him. The second man was located by a K9 unit under roughly four feet of snow, as reported by the sheriff’s office.
Two survivors, Ian Lane and Patrick Leslie, managed to send a distress signal using Garmin satellite devices, which led search and rescue teams to the site promptly.
The Northwest Avalanche Center, which assisted in the investigation, disclosed that one of the survivors was injured but only partially buried from the avalanche. According to the sheriff’s office, that individual sustained a knee injury, though it wasn’t severe. The other survivor, luckily, wasn’t buried at all.
Teams responded quickly, navigating the tough terrain with snowmobiles and specialized gear. The survivors were transported that evening.
However, conditions deteriorated, making it unsafe for crews to retrieve the deceased during the night. The next morning, a new team returned, equipped with air support and three specialized K9 units trained for finding victims in snowy environments.
Both deceased men were subsequently transported by air to a base, where the Kittitas County Coroner’s Office took custody of the remains. Their belongings, including two snowmobiles, were also retrieved.
The sheriff’s office expressed condolences, stating, “We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives.”
