One person killed in Squaw Valley avalanche
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Skiers and snowboarders enjoy the slopes at Squaw Valley in Olympic Valley, California, December 5, 2015. (REUTERS/Max Whittaker)
A Squaw Valley employee was killed during avalanche control activities Tuesday morning.
The victim has been identified as Joe Zuiches, a 42 year-old resident of Olympic Valley and a member of the Squaw Valley professional ski patrol since 2012.
A Squaw Valley spokesperson said the incident occurred at the top of Gold Coast Ridge at 8:35 a.m. The cause is believed to be the detonation of an explosive charge.
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An investigation is ongoing in cooperation with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office and North Tahoe Fire Department.
Squaw Valley released a statement saying "The team at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is deeply saddened by this tragic event and would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends affected."