In a tragic chain of events three people in Montana were killed this week when three separate avalanches claimed their lives.
The first avalanche claimed the life of 44-year-old David Lee Gaillard while he was skiing with his wife on Saturday afternoon just southwest of Cook City. His wife called for emergency responders after she couldn’t find his body but it was tragically too late.
The second death occurred only two hours later and just north of Cooke City when 46-year-old Jody Ray Verhasselt was buried alive for 12 minutes. Two companions who were also on snowmobiles managed to pull Jody from the avalance but it was too late and she was pronounced dead.
The final death to a 20-year-old man who’s name hasn’t yet been released occurred when he was snowmobiling east of Red Lion and his own snowmobile triggered the avalanche that caused his eventual death.
Speaking about dangerous conditions around the areas mountains Granite County Sheriff Stephen Immenschuh says unstable snow in the mountains have created dangerous conditions in which avalanches are easier to start.
Authorities are urging everyone to stay off the slopes and check local conditions if you insist on taking out your snowmobile, skis, snowboards and other products.