Update: Identities of four Millcreek Canyon avalanche victims confirmed
Feb 6, 2021, 1:07 PM | Updated: Feb 7, 2021, 12:35 pm
SALT LAKE CITY — The Unified Police Department has confirmed the identities of the four skiers who lost their lives in an avalanche in Millcreek Canyon on Saturday.
Sarah Moughamian, age 29, of Sandy, Louis Holian, age 26, of Salt Lake City, Stephanie Hopkins, age 26, of Salt Lake City, and Thomas Louis Steinbrecher, age 23, of Salt Lake City, died after an avalanche was released in the Wilson Glade area of the canyon according to the Unified Police Department.
KSL TV reports that efforts are currently underway to rescue survivors. However, the recovery efforts for others may extend into Sunday morning.
@UPDSL confirms: 8 people were overcome by avalanche in Millcreek Canyon. 4 survived, 4 died. Efforts currently underway to rescue survivors, recovery efforts for others may extend into tomorrow morning. Update 4:30 and 5 on @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/ns3rcnhnhO
— Garna Mejia KSL (@GarnaMejiaKSL) February 6, 2021
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox tweeted his condolences not long after the news broke:
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said the news was heartbreaking.
— Mayor Jenny Wilson (@SLCoMayor) February 6, 2021
According to the Utah Avalanche Center’s webpage, the avalanche today in Millcreek Canyon was the deadliest slide in Utah since 1992, when four people were killed in the Gold Basin area of Moab, Utah.
Earlier in the day Saturday, the Utah Avalanche Center reported the slide occurred in Millcreek Canyon in the Wilson Glade area of Wilson Fork.
Significant avalanche accident reported near Wilson Peak in upper Mill Creek Canyon. Preliminary report continually updated. https://t.co/0rNc232eLD
— UtahAvalancheCenter (@UACwasatch) February 6, 2021
The slide was located at an elevation of 9,800 feet on a north-facing slope.
It is not clear yet what triggered the avalanche.
Millcreek Canyon was closed to traffic for a portion of the afternoon on Saturday but has now reopened.
KSL Newsradio’s original reporting follows:
SALT LAKE CITY — The Unified Police Department has reported a possible avalanche in Alexander Basin, in Millcreek Canyon.
There may be as many as five people who were buried by the slide according to Unified Police. KSL has reporters headed to the scene. This story will be updated.
This is a developing story and will be updated as soon as possible.
On Friday, the Utah Avalanche Center warned skiers and other outdoors enthusiasts that the danger of avalanche would be significant on Saturday.
High Danger. Large natural avalanches overnight. Dangerous avalanche conditions. Keep it low angle. #utavy pcStetson pic.twitter.com/t7pAxOXDIX
— UtahAvalancheCenter (@UACwasatch) February 6, 2021
Within the past week, two people have died in avalanches in Utah, one of them a long-time resident of Park City, Utah.
