College student dies on skiing trip after crashing on Gunsight Peak, Oregon rescuers say

A college student died on a skiing trip after losing control, Oregon rescuers said.

Ella Carr, a 20-year-old student at Whitman College in Washington, was skiing on Gunsight Peak at Anthony Lakes Ski Area in Oregon on Saturday, March 5.

She crashed into trees on the slope and was severely injured, the Union County Search and Rescue team said.

Ski patrol officials and staff at the ski area climbed the steep slope to reach the skier. Rescuers took the skier to the base of the 8,342-foot peak to meet paramedics.

“Tracked UTVs and snowmobiles were used to reach the base of the peak, but the slope of the peak itself was accessible only by foot due to hazards and steepness of terrain,” rescuers said on Facebook. “During this time, an Oregon Army National Guard helicopter was flying to the scene from Salem.”

Ski patrol and staff reached the paramedics, who confirmed Carr had died from her injuries.

“Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Ms. Carr, and we would like to express our gratitude to all of the responders to this incident for their cooperation and assistance,” rescuers said.

Whitman College told McClatchy News that grief counselors would be available on campus.

“The Whitman College community is devastated by the death of Ella Carr,” the college said in an email. “This is a heartbreaking loss and we are focused on supporting Ella’s family and friends in any way we can.”

Anthony Lakes Ski Area is about 130 miles south of Walla Walla.

This story was originally published March 7, 2022 at 10:21 AM with the headline "College student dies on skiing trip after crashing on Gunsight Peak, Oregon rescuers say."