MONTREAL –
Utah authorities say a Canadian man was killed in an avalanche while snowboarding in the mountains near Salt Lake City.
The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office says the body of David Éthier, 38, was recovered Tuesday.
Deputy Arlan Bennett says Éthier had been splitboarding in the Millcreek Canyon area on Saturday, but was swept under the snow during an avalanche.
He says a rescue operation began Sunday night after a family encountered Éthier’s dog and then found his car at a trailhead.
Authorities contacted Éthier’s family in Quebec, who said he was 24 hours late.
Bennett says the rescue continued Monday, but heavy snow prevented it until Tuesday.
“Further up on the summit, towards the area where it would have been, it was snowing almost constantly,” he said. “There was only a small window of opportunity for us to get the helicopter up,” he said.
Sheriff Rosie Rivera called it a “heartbreaking tragedy” in a statement.
“Our hearts go out to the family mourning the loss of their loved one.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 1, 2025.
