Ski Patrol Member Killed At Squaw Valley

SQUAW VALLEY (CBS13) - The latest on the death of a Squaw Valley ski patrol member:

3:03 p.m.

Squaw Valley officials are now saying ski patrol member Joe Zuiches died after the detonation of an explosive charge during avalanche control activities.

The incident happened at the top of Gold Coast Ridge at Squaw Valley.

Squaw Valley officials, along with the Placer County Sheriff's Office and the North Tahoe Fire Department are investigating the incident.

10:24 a.m.

A Squaw Valley Ski Resort employee died Tuesday morning.

Around 8:30 a.m., a member of the ski patrol was conducting avalanche control activities when they were killed. The resort didn't go into detail about how it happened.

The employee has been identified as 42-year-old Olympic Valley resident Joe Zuiches. He was a member of a ski patrol since 2012, Squaw Valley says.

The incident is under investigation.

"The team at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is deeply saddened by this tragic event and would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends affected," the resort said in a statement.

Squaw Valley will be closed for the day.