2006 Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol Deaths
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| Date | April 6, 2006 |
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| Time | 11:29 a.m. (Pacific Time Zone) |
| Location | Mammoth Mountain Ski Area |
| Coordinates | 37°37′50″N 119°01′57″W / 37.63056°N 119.03250°W |
| Cause | Toxic gas exposure from volcanic fumarole |
| Deaths | Charles Walter Rosenthal, James Juarez, and John Scott McAndrews |
On April 6, 2006, three members of the Mammoth Mountain ski patrol team died after falling into a volcanic fumarole near the summit during safety operations. The incident occurred while patrollers were securing a snow-covered geothermal vent following record snowfall. This event highlighted the risks associated with volcanic gases in the area and prompted investigations into safety protocols, as well as memorial efforts to honor the victims.
Mammoth Mountain, located in California's Sierra Nevada range, is an active stratovolcano and a popular destination for skiing and other recreational activities.[1] Volcanic activity in the region gives rise to fumaroles, which are natural vents that emit gases such as carbon dioxide, Nitrogen, and hydrogen sulfide.[2][3][4] These gases can accumulate in snow-covered depressions, creating an asphyxiation risk.
The fumaroles in the area had been a known hazard for years. A similar incident occurred in 1995 when a skier fell into a fumarole at Lassen Volcanic National Park and died from inhaling toxic gases. A 1998 incident at nearby Horseshoe Lake also involved a cross-country skier who died from carbon dioxide poisoning after inhaling gas from one of the fumaroles.[5]
Officials said severe winter storms with a record amount of snow on the mountain contributed to the incident.[6] There had been a record 52 feet of snow.[7] Before this incident, five people had died on or near Mammoth during that year alone.[8]
Incident details
On Thursday, April 6, 2006, four Mammoth ski patrollers were working to secure a geothermal vent on Christmas Bowl run (east of Chair 3, now Face Lift Express).[9] Ski patrol had worked around the vents for years.[10] The area had been closed due to heavy snowfall earlier that day. The ski patrol had been digging out fencing that had been buried around the fumarole to prevent skiers from accessing the hazardous vent, which was small but deep.[5][11] According to Mammoth Lakes Mayor Rick Wood, the vent was about 12 feet wide and 22 feet deep. He told the LA Times: "The gas levels were very high. When the patrollers first went to fence it off, there was a lot of snow, but the opening was quite small."[5]
The snow above the fumarole gave way, causing two of the patrollers, James Juarez and John "Scott" McAndrews, to fall into the vent. It was initially reported that the two men called for help for a few minutes, however it is more likely that they were overcome by toxic gases immediately. Charles Walter Rosenthal, the first rescuer to enter the fumarole, carried a small bottle of oxygen for the fallen patrollers but none for himself. He quickly succumbed to the fumes and died. Jeff Bridges then donned an oxygen mask and entered to help, but was also overcome by the toxic gases. A third rescuer, Steve McCombs, used a rope to enter, pulled Bridges to safety, and managed to escape the fumes. Bridges was treated at Mammoth Lakes Hospital for oxygen deprivation and lung irritation.[6] Rosenthal died while attempting the rescue.[5]
The bodies of the fallen patrollers were recovered, and seven other patrollers—six of whom had responded to the accident—were taken to Mammoth Hospital for treatment of injuries.[5] The Mono County, California Coroner determined that the three men died of asphyxiation from the volcanic gases.[12][13]
Earlier in the season, another Mammoth ski patroller, Sara Johanna Carlsson, was killed in an avalanche while off-duty.