2 missing skiers found dead in Lake Co. avalanche

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office say two skiers were killed and three others were injured in a large avalanche in Colorado Saturday (2/15/14).

The Lake County Office of Emergency Management says seven skiers on Star Mountain near Independence Pass triggered the slide at about 5 p.m. Saturday. Three were hospitalized with injuries that included a broken leg, a broken ankle and a possible broken rib and collapsed lung.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office says search and rescue crews found the bodies of two skiers Sunday afternoon. Authorities have not released the names of anyone involved.

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center had been warning of dangerous conditions across much of Colorado’s mountains after two weeks of heavy snow in the high country.

The avalanche happened near Leadville, which is about 80 miles southwest of Denver.