The Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY — Family members say a skier pulled from beneath the snow after being buried in an avalanche in Utah’s backcountry has died at a hospital.
KSL-TV reports that 26-year-old Garrett Smith died Sunday at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, a day after he and two others were rescued in Sanpete County.
Smith’s family released a statement saying he was with six other experienced backcountry enthusiasts who took precautions and did everything right, but all risks can’t be mitigated.
Smith’s father-in-law says three skiers were checking snow conditions on a steep slope in the Manti La-Sal National Forest when the slide happened before noon Saturday.
One skier dug out another who was partially buried, and they dug out Smith and administered CPR before rescuers arrived.