Mountain rescue teams are searching for a missing skier in Lake Tahoe after an avalanche killed another eight backcountry skiers.
Six other skiers in the group survived but one remains unaccounted for.
The search continues although officials say this person is presumed dead.
“We did have conversation with the families of the folks that are still outstanding and let them know that our mission went from a rescue to a recovery,” Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said.
“It’s a difficult conversation to have with loved ones.”
Police said the bodies of those killed haven’t been recovered yet due to the ongoing avalanche risk.
“The risk is still as high with the mission moving to a recovery. We want to really make sure that our first responders are safe,” Moon added.
The avalanche happened around midday on Tuesday on the California side of Lake Tahoe.
“The group was in the process of returning to the trailhead at the conclusion of a three-day trip when the incident occurred,” Blackbird Mountain Guides said, which had four staff guiding the group.
Two survivors were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
