Palisades Tahoe avalanche kills one, injuries three in California
By TOI Desk Report January 11, 2024 Update on : September 5, 2024
A man was killed and three other persons were injured in an avalanche at the Palisades Tahoe resort on the California side of Lake Tahoe on Wednesday morning, authorities said.
The deceased was identified as Kenneth Kidd, 66, who was a resident of both Point Reyes and the Truckee area, reported ABC and Associated Press.
A major storm with snow and gusty winds moved into the region at that time, authorities said.
The avalanche occurred near the KT-22 lift, which opened for the first time around 9:30am on Wednesday, and triggered Palisades Tahoe to close as search crews combed the area under the K-22 lift.
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, the death marks the first US avalanche fatality of the 2023-2024 winter season.
During a press briefing Wednesday, Placer County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. David Smith said no one has been reported missing and search efforts have concluded.
The vice president of mountain operations at Palisades Tahoe, told reporters that Kenneth Kidd who died was buried in the avalanche, Michael Gross.
Resort officials said another person suffered a leg injury in the avalanche and two people who got caught in the slide had minor injuries.
According to the sheriff’s office, the debris field of the avalanche is about 150 feet wide, 450 feet long, and 10 feet deep.
Palisades Resort CEO and President Dee Byrne said during the press briefing the resort said both sides of the mountain are closed and this is a very sad day for his team.
The slide remains under investigation and called the situation “dynamic”, Byrne added.
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