Skier, Snowmobiler Killed In Avalanches Identified

Park County authorities have identified a snowmobiler and a skier who died in separate avalanches near the Montana-Wyoming line.

44-year-old David Lee Gaillard was skiing with his wife Saturday southeast of Cooke City when an avalanche occurred around 2 p.m.

Park County Coroner Al Jenkins says Gaillard's wife tried to find her husband but was unsuccessful. She traveled to Cooke City to report the accident and emergency responders recovered the body.

About two hours earlier, another avalanche occurred north of Cooke City where three men were snowmobiling. County officials say the avalanche buried 46-year-old Jody Ray Verhasselt of Sidney under 4 feet of snow for 12 minutes before the others pulled him out and began CPR.

Emergency responders took over but could not revive him.

Associated Press