A 33-year-old Wyoming man skiing in Grand Teton National Park Monday was killed in an avalanche, at least the 32nd casualty this season.
Matthew Brien was leading a group of three to ski the Broken Thumb Couloir when the avalanche was triggered around noon, according to the National Park Service.
The avalanche swept Brien over the rappel and down for almost 1,000 feet, leaving him with “significant trauma,” officials said. The rest of his party called 911 and tracked down Brien, who was partially buried in snow and debris.
The group was able to free him and perform CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other members of Brien’s party were able to ski to safety.
Brien is now at least the 32nd person killed in an avalanche during the 2020-2021 season, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. That follows 23 deaths last season and 25 each in the two prior seasons.
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