UPDATE – Emergency Crews Clear Avalanche Scene – Elderly Couple Identified
February 28, 2014 UPDATE - Missoula Police Department Public Information Officer Travis Welsh issued a press release at about 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1.
Avalanche Update; Saturday March 1, 2014
As of 2:00AM this morning, emergency crews have cleared from the scene of the avalanche. Power lines have been secured, and the gas lines have been capped. There is no information currently available regarding the medical condition of the three persons rescued, they remain hospitalized. There is continued concern that the unstable snow conditions in the Missoula Valley may produce other slides and citizens are advised to stay out of closed areas.
Detectives have conducted interviews in an investigative effort to determine if the avalanche was caused by human activity, however at this time no determination has been made. Those efforts are continuing. Anyone with information as to the cause of the slide is asked to contact Detective Dean Chrestenson at (406) 552-6705, or Detective Guy Baker at (406) 552-6284. You may also call Missoula Crime-Stoppers at (406) 721-4444.
Our news partners at NBC Montana-KECI-TV have identified the elderly couple as Fred Allendorf and his wife, Michel Jo Colville. They were listed in critical condition Friday night at St. Patrick hospital. On Saturday morning, the hospital upgraded Allendorf to serious condition.
The identity and condition of the eight year-old boy injured in the slide are still unknown.
UPDATE - Paige Pavalone with the Missoula County Sheriff's Office confirmed at 7:30 p.m. that all three victims of Friday afternoon's Rattlesnake area avalanche have been recovered, and all are alive.