Snowmobiler killed in avalanche
Published 2:22 pm Friday, January 2, 2009
MAZAMA – A snowmobiler riding northwest of Mazama was buried under an avalanche and died Sunday, Dec. 28, according to the Okanogan County Sheriff’s office.
Jushua S. Peters, 24, Colville, was riding with friends in the area of Brown Bear Basin near Harts Pass when he was caught in the avalanche and buried by the snow.
“His fellow snowmobilers were able to locate Peters and dig him out after about 15 minutes,” said Sheriff Frank Rogers. “Peters was not breathing at the time and CPR was started but Peters was never revived and was pronounced deceased.”
At about 4 p.m. Okanogan County Deputy Michael Blake as well as 16 volunteers from Aero Methow Rescue and Okanogan County Search and Rescue responded to the scene to assist.
“All four riders were very experienced riders, had avalanche beacons and avalanche probes with them,” Rogers said.
About Gary DeVon
Gary DeVon is the managing editor of the Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune and celebrated his 25th year at the newspaper in August 2012. He graduated from Gonzaga University with a degree in Communications - Print Journalism, with an emphasis in photojournalism. He is a proud alumnus of Oroville High School. His family first settled in Okanogan County in the late 1800s. His parents are Judy DeVon and the late Larry DeVon and he has two younger brothers - Dante and Michael. Many family members still call Oroville home. He has a grown daughter, Segornae Douglas and a young granddaughter, Erin.
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