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SANPETE COUNTY -- A man who got swept away in an avalanche in Sanpete County on Saturday has died.
Garrett Smith, one of the men pulled from the avalanche in the backcountry of the Manti La-Sal National Forest, died in the hospital Sunday afternoon.
Smith, 26, and six others were skiing in the area when three of them got caught in the slide. Rescuers had to use ropes and other equipment in an attempt to reach the party who, were swept into a 1,000 foot-deep bowl by the 11:30 a.m. avalanche.
Two of those men were treated and released, but Smith -- who was under the snow the longest -- succumbed to his injuries at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.
The brother of one of the skiers says Smith was buried for 10 to 20 minutes before the other skiers were able to dig him out. They performed CPR on Smith for 40 minutes and were able to revive him, though he was unconscious as he was transported to the hospital.
In a written statement, Smith's family said, "Garrett and his loved ones loved being in the backcountry. They took every known precaution possible and did everything right, but all risks cannot be mitigated."
Smith's father-in-law Bryce Barker said the group, all experienced backcountry enthusiasts, planned out the trip. They were on top of a steep slope checking avalanche conditions before attempting to ski it. Barker says the group decided it wasn't safe and was going to head back when the slide happened.
They had the right equipment and took proper safety precautions, but the risk proved to be too much even for a man like Smith who friends say had amazing will and determination.
The family's statement thanked those who helped in the rescue: "A tragic incident has occurred, but self rescue efforts were performed by party members unceasingly until help arrived. Even though Garrett has passed, the rescue was successful in bringing him back to us so that goodbyes could be said with family and loved ones."
CLICK HERE to read the entire statement.
Email: syi@ksl.com
