[Loop1]

From February 16, 2018

A 30-year-old Russian snowboarder named S.P. was killed while four others were rescued when an avalanche struck a ski resort in Gulmarg, India.

The incident is the second of its kind within a period of a month. In January, a Swedish skier was killed after an avalanche hit the same area. You can read about his death here.

Both incidents according to reports had occurred at Hapatkhod which is considered a prohibited area for skiing. The area is also called ‘backcountry’ as blasting is not carried out and makes the area avalanche prone.

S.P. and four others — all Russian nationals — were snowboarding near Apharwat peak when they came under the avalanche, said divisional commissioner Basheer Ahmad.

The rescued snowboarders, according to police, are stable and have been discharged from the hospital after given first aid.

According to sources, a group of Russian snowboarders comprised of nine members left in the morning for Gulmarg. Despite being warned not to venture into the prohibited area, the snowboarders went in the “danger zone”, where they were hit by an avalanche.

Soon after receiving information about the avalanche, a rescue team was immediately sent to the area, where around five snowboarders were found buried under the mound of snow, sources said.

The rescuing party immediately evacuated all the trapped rescuers, however, one of the snowboarders was found dead, they said.

Tourism Minister Tassaduq Mufti expressed grief over the snowboarder’s death and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.

"The snowboarder from Russia had ventured into the backcountry area where advisories were already issued," an official handout said.

“The deceased was a part of group of five snowboarders who went to Shinmai bowl despite strict instructions by the department about the zones which are avalanche prone,” it said.

“The dead body was brought down and is undergoing postmortem at district hospital.”

“The Russian group boarded the Gondola at around 11:30 am today and came under avalanche at 12 noon. The group had arrived at Delhi on February 13 and moved to Gulmarg on February 14.”

“The snowboarders had also signed an indemnity bond that they would not go into backcountry where avalanches occur on regular basis. However, the group still ventured into the area resulting in the tragic death of the snowboarder,” it said.

To make skiers and snowboarders aware about the avalanche prone areas, the department is organizing awareness talks every Tuesday at 7 pm in which a snow safety officer of the department provides information about the risks involved in certain areas,” it said.

Note: When you watch the first video, you will need to skip to around 2:25 to see the victim. Also between the first and second video, it appears that someone removed the victim’s wedding ring from his finger.

[GoreGirl89]

Also sad :( Thanks for including both stories, I like that you did that!

[RiversEdge]

different change of scenery for the eyes. so used to seeing a barren, sandy desert, or a slum city neighborhood there in India.

[Pangaea]

Reminds me that old chinese quote: Mother nature has no mercy, it treats everything & everyone equally as straw dogs.

[EMason88]

Water brings us life just as easily as death.

[Wren]

Sad ride down. The amount of care in transporting him didn't go unnoticed, so I hope one of his friends took his ring for safekeeping to give to family.

[Slanger]

Damn that would suck so bad. I guess I would rather freeze to death than be burned alive. I fought many house fires and cars fires, the heat even in full gear is terrorizing .

[FavaBeans]

The snow beat the shit outta him... Didn't it?????