Authorities are investigating whether there was any criminal negligence in the deadly avalanche that swept Lake Tahoe, California this week, killing at least eight skiers and their guides as they returned from a three-day backcountry skiing trip.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said Friday that it has turned the active investigation over to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which regulates workplace safety.
“We are investigating the incident to determine if there were any elements that could be considered criminal negligence,” a sheriff’s office spokesman said. “It is too early to know if criminal charges will apply because the investigation is preliminary and active and ongoing. The district attorney’s office will ultimately have the authority to decide whether to file any criminal charges.”
The avalanche, the deadliest in California’s modern history, has killed at least eight people and left a ninth skier still missing but presumed dead.
Blackbird Mountain Guides, which employs the ski guides who led the trek, said in a statement Wednesday that three of its workers died after the avalanche, while one survived.
“This is an enormous tragedy, and the saddest event our group has ever experienced,” Blackbird Mountain Guides founder Jeb Blais said in a statement. “We are doing everything we can to support the families who have lost so much and our team members who have lost valuable friends and colleagues.
“We’re still learning a lot about what happened. It’s too early to jump to conclusions, but the investigation is ongoing,” Blais added in Wednesday’s statement.
Avalanche warnings are already in effect as 15 skiers return from their trip that began Sunday. According to a social media video posted on Sunday, Blackbird Mountain Guides appeared to be aware of the dangerous weather conditions.
At a press conference Wednesday, Nevada County Sheriff Shannon Moon said the reason the ski trip was not canceled is under investigation.
“Those are decisions made by the guide company clearly,” Moon said. “We are still in dialogue with them on the decision factors they made.”
Six of the 15 skiers survived and were rescued, including a fourth guide. Amid hazardous weather conditions, avalanche victims are yet to be extricated from the mountain.
According to a statement released Friday by the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, “Adverse weather, along with the ongoing risk of avalanches, will hamper the recovery process. A statement released Thursday said, “Pending the completion of the recovery mission, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office is unable to confirm the identities, ages, affiliations or cities of origin of the victims.”
Family members have confirmed the identities of six of the eight people who died in Tuesday’s avalanche. The identified victims – Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Daniel Keightley, Kate Morse, Carolyn Secker and Kate Witt – were part of a group that often went on ski trips together.
