El Dorado County Sheriff Search and Rescue is currently working an active search at Sierra at Tahoe Resort. Searchers are looking for a snowboarder who went missing while in the area of Upper Powderhorn Trail in the West Bowl area of the resort. The snowboarder has been identified as Phillip Walker, 22 years, resident of San Jose, CA. Phillip was snowboarding with his brother and friends when he went missing. Phillip is considered an intermediate snowboarder and was dressed appropriately for the conditions, however he was not prepared to overnight in the area. Due to harsh weather conditions searching was scaled back during the nigh-time hours.
March 27 at 5:00 am
The search for the missing snowboarder continues. Due to the size of the area, terrain and hazardous weather the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office requested mutual aid to assist in the search. Currently there are approximately 60 searchers in the area. The search teams are using shoe shoes, skis, snowmobiles and a snow cat (tracked vehicle) to aid in the search.
March 27, 11:50 am
Search and Rescue volunteers located the missing subject. The subject was found deceased in a tree well (a depression next to a tree, created by the snow) and he was covered in several inches snow. The initial investigation suggests Phillip impacted the tree, however it has not been determined if the impact or the winter weather caused his death.
The family of Phillip Walker has been notified of the tragic event. The Sheriff's Office extends it deepest condolences to the family.
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