A skier dies in Oregon after falling off a cliff in an avalanche
a Snowboarding in Oregon He died last week after being swept away by an avalanche at Newbery Volcanic National Monument in Deschutes National Forest, the Sheriff’s Department confirmed.
A search and rescue team from the Deschutt County Sheriff’s Office reached Eric Hefflefinger, of Bend, Oregon, within three hours of his fall from the air on Wednesday afternoon, the department said in a statement after receiving SOS alerts from the area.
Oregon State Police also responded but were unable to reach Hefflefinger due to snow conditions.
The mayor’s rescue party was also delayed after the avalanche.
Skier survives New Hampshire avalanche, found uninjured after 500-foot collapse
Paulina Peak, the highest point of Newbery Volcano, is at 7,984 feet at the summit. (USFS/Flickr)
Officials said the 33-year-old had a faint pulse but succumbed to his injuries at the scene within an hour.
He was taken to the 10-mile snowmobile park and released to a funeral home.
Two friends of Heffelfinger’s, who had snowboarded before him, told authorities they saw him carry the icy debris up the cliff and managed to reach it before rescuers could begin CPR.
Investigators said Heffelfinger may have hit a tree as he fell.
The department said the three skiers had proper avalanche safety equipment.
There have been two more avalanche deaths reported in the county so far this year after no fatalities for the past nine years.
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“the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office I would like to remind everyone who is rebuilding in another country to make sure you have the proper equipment and training,” the tee off said.
Paulina Peak, the highest point of Newbery Volcano, is at 7,984 feet at the summit.
