Santa Cruz doctor identified as victim in Mt. Rose avalanche

Submitted by paula on Tue, 12/13/2016 - 8:16pm

Dr. Thomas Barker of Aptos, Calif. has been identified at the man found buried in snow at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe on Sunday, the apparent victim of an avalanche the previous day.

The 64-year-old Barker was an ear, nose and throat specialist with a practice in Santa Cruz.

Heavy, wet snow as falling at Mt. Rose on Saturday, reportedly prompting resort officials to close off the Jackpot Chutes. Barker and another man were skiing on the chutes when the avalanche occurred, with the friend making it out and calling 911.

Search dogs guided crews to the location of a body buried in 8-10 feet of snow just before 1:00 p.m. Sunday according to Washoe County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Bob Harmon.

The official cause of death is pending.