California Avalanche Leaves 1 Dead, Injures 2

OLYMPIC VALLEY, CA -- One person was killed and two others were injured this week following a winter storm that sent an avalanche down a popular northern California ski resort. The avalanche happened at Squaw Valley Ski Resort, about two hours away from the state's capitol of Sacramento, just one day after a snowboarder was found dead.

Five people, two females and three males, were caught in the avalanche that happened around 1:40 p.m. Friday, according to the resort.

One guest suffered a serious lower body injury and was transported by North Tahoe Fire Department to Tahoe Forest Hospital. Another guest was rescued by Squaw Valley rescue teams, transported to the Tahoe Truckee Medical Group at the base of Squaw Valley, and then was subsequently released. The three other guests who were caught in the avalanche left the scene unharmed, the resort said in a statement.

Resort officials said the trigger of the avalanche is unknown, but a full investigation of the incident and its cause will be conducted.

The avalanche happened one day after a snowboarder's body was found Thursday, according to the Associated Press.

"Wenyu Zhang, 42, vanished Thursday as the region was hit by a blizzard packing winds gusting to nearly 150 mph (241 kph) over the ridge tops," the Associated Press reported. His body was later found.

The avalanche comes as California endures a strong winter storm, sending roughly seven feet of snow to the northern California region.

--Photo: Brent Abrams skiis down the Gunbarrel run at Heavenly Ski Resort above South Lake Tahoe, Calif., Sunday, Dec.14, 2003.