Claire Murphy, a ski patroller at Mammoth Mountain, tragically died from injuries sustained in a Valentine's Day avalanche while conducting avalanche mitigation. This event occurred after a massive storm left 6 feet of snow in just 36 hours, leading to the area being closed to the public. While her patrol partner remained unharmed, Murphy's death has prompted strong support from the ski community, with other resorts offering assistance. The incident highlights the risks associated with avalanches, which result in more than 20 fatalities annually in the U.S.
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the Mammoth Mountain Ski Patroller, Claire Murphy, who was hospitalized last Friday, passed away as a result of her injuries.
The area had been closed to the public when the avalanche hit around 11:30 a.m. Her patrol partner was extracted uninjured, but Murphy was not as fortunate.
Ski patrols from other resorts such as Bear Mountain and Palisades at Tahoe raced to be by Murphy's side and helped fill in at Mammoth.
On average, more than 20 people die every year in avalanches in the United States, according to data from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
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