Partner Performed CPR for 1 Hour on Skier Killed in Avalanche Near Steamboat Springs, CO, Saturday

A backcountry skier was killed in an avalanche Saturday in the Buffalo Pass area northeast of Steamboat Springs, CO, the CAIC reports.

Two skiers were involved in the avalanche at approximately 12:20 pm. The accident occurred in the North Fork of Fish Creek drainage, northeast of Steamboat Springs. The two men had snowmobiled into the area before skiing through the backcountry. Skier 1 was caught in the avalanche and came to rest against a tree. He was not breathing when his companion reached him. Skier 2 performed CPR for close to an hour as the Routt County Sheriff’s Office, Routt County Search and Rescue, and Classic Air responded to the scene. CPR was not successful. Classic Air evacuated Skier 2 via helicopter.

“He was doing CPR while he was on the phone with dispatch.”

– Undersheriff Doug Scherar told KCNC-TV

The man was still performing CPR an hour later when crews reached him. The skier who died has been identified as Andrew Hyde, 49, of Steamboat Springs.

There have been 15 avalanche-related fatalities in the US this winter.