Officials investigate deadly California avalanche for possible criminal negligence | US news
Authorities are investigating whether there was any criminal negligence involved in the deadly avalanche that ripped through California’s Lake Tahoe this week, killing at least eight skiers and their guides as they returned from a three-day backcountry ski trip.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said Friday that it notified the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Osha), which regulates workplace safety, of the active investigation.
“We are investigating the incident to determine if there are any factors that could be considered criminal negligence,” a sheriff’s office spokesman said. “Because the investigation is preliminary and active and ongoing, it is too early to know whether criminal charges will be filed. The district attorney’s office will ultimately be the determining authority on any criminal charges filed.”
The deadliest avalanche in California’s modern history left at least eight people dead, with a ninth skier still missing but presumed dead.
Blackbird Mountain Guides, which employs the ski guides leading the walk, said in a statement on Wednesday that three of its employees died after the avalanche and one worker survived.
“This was a tremendous tragedy and the saddest event our team has ever experienced,” Zeb Blais, founder of Blackbird Mountain Guides, said in a statement. “We are doing everything we can to support families who have lost so much and our team members who have lost dear friends and colleagues.
“We still have a lot to learn about what happened. It’s too early to draw any conclusions, but investigations are ongoing,” Blais added in his statement on Wednesday.
Avalanche warnings were also issued when 15 skiers were returning from the trip that started on Sunday. Blackbird Mountain Guides appeared to be aware of the hazardous weather conditions. a social media video It was published on Sunday.
At a news conference Wednesday, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said the investigation includes finding out why the ski trip wasn’t canceled.
“These are clearly decisions made by the guide company,” Moon said. “We are still in discussions with them regarding the decision factors they made.”
Six of the 15 skiers survived and were rescued, including the fourth guide. Due to dangerous weather conditions, avalanche victims have not yet been removed from the mountain.
“Adverse weather conditions and the ongoing avalanche danger hindered the rescue process.” expression It was stated that he was released by the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office on Friday. “Until the rescue mission is completed, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office is unable to confirm the identities, ages, affiliations or cities of origin of the victims,” he said in a statement released Thursday.
Family members have confirmed the identities of six of the eight people killed in Tuesday’s avalanche. The identified victims (Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar and Kate Vitt) were part of a group that frequently went on ski trips together.
The sheriff’s office also announced Friday that avalanche mitigation efforts were underway in California’s Sierra Nevada region, consisting of controlled “deployment of explosives to intentionally release unstable snowpack.” These measures aim to reduce avalanche risk and improve the safety of first responders when rescuing victims.
