BREAKING: Four Dead, Four Rescued in Millcreek Canyon Avalanche

Avalanche In Wilson Basin area of Millcreek Canyon Photo: Courtesy Wasatch Backcountry Rescue

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. — An avalanche in the Wilson Basin area of Millcreek Canyon buried eight people earlier today. A report from 2KUTV at 4:07 p.m. said the Unified Police have confirmed that eight people in total were buried in the avalanche.

The eight were members of two separate groups of friends who happened to be in the same area. The victims were identified as Louis Holian, 26, of Salt Lake City; Stephanie Hopkins, 26, of Salt Lake City; Sarah Moughamian, 29, of Sandy; and Thomas Louis Steinbrecher, 23, of Salt Lake City.

According to an avalanche center report Sunday, the avalanche was 3.5′ feet deep and occurred at an elevation of 9,600 feet on a 31-degrees slope. The avalanche was 1,000 feet wide and 400 feet long. The eight skiers were carrying avalanche safety equipment.

 

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Unified Police said the survivors were able to dig themselves out, then dug out the four who died. The survivors ages range from 23-38.  @KUTV2News

— Kelly Vaughen (@KellyVaughen) February 6, 2021

The Utah Avalanche Center warned this morning that avalanche danger was high.

High Danger. Large natural avalanches overnight. Dangerous avalanche conditions. Keep it low angle. #utavy pcStetson pic.twitter.com/t7pAxOXDIX

— UtahAvalancheCenter (@UACwasatch) February 6, 2021

This is a developing story and TownLift will continue to update it as we learn more.