UPDATE: Two courageous Lake Tahoe residents played a crucial role in rescuing a snowmobiler trapped in a devastating avalanche near Sonora Pass on December 27, 2023. The incident unfolded around 11 a.m. in the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area, a popular backcountry destination less than two hours from South Lake Tahoe.
Witnesses describe the scene as chaotic. “I turned the corner and saw this scene of devastation,” said Peter Harrison, one of the locals who responded to the emergency. “My first thought was, ‘They’ve bombed the hell out of this landscape. What happened here?’” It quickly became clear that an avalanche, estimated to be a D3 avalanche, had struck a group of snowmobilers.
Harrison and fellow Lake Tahoe resident Bryan Schorr were riding with three others when they encountered the site of destruction. Approximately 100 yards away, they spotted a man buried under snow and a snowmobile, with water up to his waist.
Concerned for the trapped individual’s safety, Harrison and Schorr took action. “We decided to check it out,” Harrison recounted. After spending around 30 minutes trying to free the snowmobile from above the injured man, they realized the urgency of the situation. With hypothermia a significant risk, they ultimately pulled him from beneath the machine.
Rescue teams were promptly dispatched, with two helicopters deployed to the scene. A Battle Born Medevac helicopter from Carson City, Nevada, arrived first, transporting the injured snowmobiler to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, a Level II trauma center, for immediate care.
The remaining snowmobilers were able to return safely to the parking lot at the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the elevated avalanche danger in the region. Authorities are urging winter sports enthusiasts to exercise caution as conditions remain treacherous.
As the community reflects on this heroic rescue, officials stress the importance of safety in backcountry areas, especially during high-risk periods. The quick actions of Harrison, Schorr, and their companions highlight the vital role that preparedness and awareness play in emergency situations.
Stay tuned for further updates as officials continue to monitor avalanche conditions across the region.
