Iowa snowmobiler killed by avalanche in Wyoming

The Associated Press

Published: February 19, 2014 10:47 am
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Jackson, Wyo. • A 26-year-old Iowa man died when an avalanche swept his snowmobile into a tree in northwest Wyoming.

Teton County Undersheriff Bob Gilliam says Tyler Tourlett, of Osage, was buried by the avalanche near the Togwotee (TOH'-goh-tee) Mountain Lodge on Tuesday.

Gilliam tells the Jackson Hole News & Guide that responders, including a doctor flown from Jackson, tried to revive Tourlett for half an hour before the doctor pronounced him dead.

He says the avalanche occurred when Tourlett's sled got stuck in the snow and a friend circled behind him to try to help out. The friend was able to avoid the slide.

Tuesday's avalanche risk was rated "considerable" for elevations above 7,500 feet.

It was the second avalanche death in Wyoming this winter. There have been 16 nationwide.

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