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Show By this time the road below the slide was congested with traffic; large numbers of spectators were heading toward the slide area. Since the possibility of new slides remained high, and officials at the scene had no personnel to spare for crowd control and traffic direction, D. R. requested that the Highway Patrol close the road to uphill traffic. An officer from the county sheriff's office who had been informed of the avalanche arrived on the scene at 2: 00 p. m. D. R. asked him to request additional help from the Sheriff's office. The snow ranger also advised him of the possibility of additional slides and suggested that he move spectators to a safe area. As search operations continued into the afternoon, Forest Service assistance was requested by radio to handle the assortment of reporters from the press and other news media. At 3: 00, all but two strips of the slide area had been covered with no results. By now only one victim, a teenager who had been last seen in the center of the slide, was confirmed as still in the avalanche. D. R. directed the two probe lines to each search one of the unsearched strips. By 3: 20 five Forest Service employees arrived. Two took charge of the news media, and the other three were instructed to check avalanche signs in the area and assist in controlling the crowd of spectators. Traffic was, by then, congested and at a standstill. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team arrived at 3: 30. D. R. assigned them to the larger of the two unsearched areas to conclude the first stage of the search. As rescue operations continued into the late afternoon, it was clear that relief would be needed for the Ski Patrol for the second stage of the search. Lt. W. of the Sheriff's office advised D. R. that relief, food, and lights had been ordered. Then at 4: 00 the victim was found alive in the southwest corner of the deposition area, about three to four feet below the snow surface. He was dug out and first aid was administered by the Ski Patrol. A later examination by a doctor indicated that he was suffering from exposure, shock, and possibly a broken leg. A still later examination at the hospital revealed that there was no break. The avalanche search was continued until approximately 9: 45 p. m. under the direction of Lt. W. Men from his department, the San Bernardino County Mountain Search and Rescue Team, the Los Angeles County Special Enforcement detail, and the Los Angeles County Mountain Search and Rescue Squad made a systematic probe of the entire area. No other people were discovered in the debris, but the avalanche danger sign was recovered only a few feet from the victim. COMMENTS The victim was in a semi- upright position, but facing downward. The official reports unfortunately are silent on the details which would explain the victim's very lucky survival for 3^ hours under this depth of heavy, wet snow. Photographs taken at the scene show avalanche debris composed of large wet " snow balls," a typical feature in damp or wet slides. There probably existed air channels which allowed the victim to breath. Why his chest was not constricted is unknown. 126 |