Featured Image Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Topics: News, US News, California
Kit Roberts
Loved ones of six women killed in an avalanche at Lake Tahoe in California have released a heartbreaking statement paying tribute to the deceased.
Carrie Atkin, Kate Morse, Danielle Keatley, Caroline Sekar, Kate Vitt, and Liz Claubaugh were among eight people confirmed to have died in the tragedy on February 17, while one person is still missing.
Emergency services were able to rescue six people from the mountain after the avalanche, with the party being made up of 11 skiers and four guides in total.
Harsh conditions on the mountain on February 19 prevented rescuers from being able to recover the bodies of the people killed in the avalanche, the New York Post reported.
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Online messages of support for the families of the six women killed referred to them as 'supermoms', and their families have also paid tribute to them in a statement.
“We are devastated beyond words," they said. "Our focus right now is supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women.
“They were all mothers, wives and friends, all of whom connected through the love of the outdoors.
"They were passionate, skilled skiers who cherished time together in the mountains.
"They lived in the Bay Area, Idaho, and the Truckee–Tahoe region.”
The statement explained that the trip had been well planned, and the friends were experienced skiers.
“Eight close friends planned a professionally guided, two-night backcountry hut trip to Frog Lake Huts outside Truckee, California," it read.
"The trip had been organized well in advance. They were experienced backcountry skiers who deeply respected the mountains."
It added that they had also been with professional guides for the trip, and had the proper equipment in case of an avalanche.
“They were trained and prepared for backcountry travel and trusted their professional guides on this trip," the statement explained.
"They were fully equipped with avalanche safety equipment.”
Paying tribute to the women, the statement concluded: “We are heartbroken and are doing our best to care for one another and our families in the way we know these women would have wanted."
The families added: "We are asking for privacy and space as our families grieve this sudden and profound loss.”
Loved ones of the avalanche victims also expressed their profound gratitude to the Nevada County Search and Rescue for their efforts, as well as all of the authorities involved.
They also thanked the community in Tahoe and beyond for coming together to support them through the tragedy.