Watch CBS News

Mt. Rose Avalanche Victim ID'd As Aptos Man

KCBS_740MOUNT ROSE (AP) -- The Washoe County coroner has identified the avalanche victim at a ski resort near Reno over the weekend as a 64-year-old man who lived near Santa Cruz.

The medical examiner's office said Tuesday the body of Thomas Barker of Aptos, California was found beneath the snow on Sunday at the Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe resort half way between Reno and Lake Tahoe.

His official cause of death is still pending.

Emergency crews responded Saturday to reports a skier was trapped in an avalanche in an area that was closed to the public at the time.

READ MORE: Two Skiers Killed In Separate Tahoe Area Accidents

Mike Pierce, the resort's marketing director, says the steep terrain in that area known as the "Chutes" is open for skiing during certain conditions. But he says the gates were closed on Saturday with signs that clearly showed it was off limits.

© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.