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Ski Patroller Killed in Mammoth Mountain Avalanche
29 Dec
Summary
- A ski patroller died while working to make a ski route safer.
- The incident occurred during avalanche mitigation work after a large storm.
- This is the second avalanche fatality at Mammoth Mountain in under a year.
A ski patroller, 30-year-old Cole Murphy, tragically lost his life at Mammoth Mountain after being struck by an avalanche. The incident occurred on Friday morning while Murphy and a colleague were engaged in avalanche mitigation efforts on Lincoln Mountain, aiming to secure routes for visitors. The resort had received five feet of snow since December 23 due to a significant storm.
Both patrollers were hospitalized following the avalanche. Murphy, critically injured, later died at a separate facility. His colleague sustained broken bones and underwent successful surgery. Mammoth Mountain remained closed from Friday through Sunday in the wake of the disaster and heavy snowfall.
Murphy's family described him as devoted to his career and family, calling ski patrol his 'calling.' This event echoes a tragedy from February 14, when another Mammoth Mountain ski patroller, Clare Murphy, also died in an avalanche on Lincoln Mountain while performing similar duties.
