One person killed in western Wyoming avalanche

One snowmobiler was killed and 2 partially buried during an avalanche in Lincoln County, Wyoming Friday.

The Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center said five snowmobilers were caught in the slide on Commissary Ridge in the Salt River Range.

The names of those involved were unavailable.

According to preliminary reports, the second rider on the slope was side-hilling when the slide released. That rider was buried for 8 to 10 minutes. The rider was evacuated by helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center about two and a half hours later. He died of injuries sustained in the slide.

Two other riders were partially buried but not injured, according to the avalanche center.
Investigators said the slide failed ona buried layer of surface hoar and dug down through several inches of snow to a hard crust that formed in late November.

Conditions are dangerous throughout the region and skiers and riders could easily trigger very large, destructive slabs in steep terrain. According to the Avalanche Center, the likelihood of triggering those slabs is slowly decreasing, but the consequences remain high. Riders are being encouraged to make conservative choices.

You can find latest avalanche conditions for the area here.