MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Two Mammoth Mountain ski patrol staff members were caught in an avalanche on Friday, leaving one in the hospital with serious injuries.
According to the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, patrol staff were caught in the avalanche on Lincoln Mountain at around 11:30 a.m. as they were doing avalanche mitigation work.
Their work follows significant snowfall in the area over the past few days; approximately six feet of snow fell in the area over the last 36 hours, ski staff say.
One of the two caught in the avalanche was extracted from the scene and is described as responsive. The other was transported to Mammoth Hospital with serious injuries. The area was closed to the public at the time.
Mountain and lift operations have been closed for the rest of the day.
