1 climber killed, 2 hurt in avalanche in Rocky Mountain National Park
A climber was killed and two others injured Sunday in a rock fall and avalanche in Rocky Mountain National Park, officials said.
A woman suffered minor injuries and a man who suffered more serious injuries was rescued by a Colorado National Guard helicopter using a hoist during a break in wintry weather, a park press release said.
The park's search and rescue team was looking for another man who was with the other two climbers near the Dreamweaver Couloir on Mount Meeker at the time of the avalanche Sunday morning, it said. Search crews found his body in avalanche debris around 5:15 p.m. Sunday, park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson said.
The identity of the victims wasn;t immediately released.
The avalanche was witnessed by climbers in the area.
Harsh conditions in the area complicated rescue efforts, CBS Denver reported. The park said rescue teams were "working in terrain above 11,500 feet" and were "experiencing winter like weather conditions," according to the station.
