KEY POINTS

  • Two snowmobilers were trapped in an avalanche on New Year's Day
  • Their bodies were found by multiple agencies during their search
  • A third snowmobiler was able to get out and called 911

The bodies of two snowmobilers who were trapped in an avalanche on New Year's Day near Seeley Lake have been discovered.

Search and rescue teams, together with other agencies, cleared the avalanche scene late Wednesday and discovered the bodies of the snowmobilers, said ABC FOX Montana, citing a statement from the Missoula County Sheriff's Office.

The snowmobilers were pronounced dead, it added.

Japan avalanche
One man was killed and at least 11 people injured as an avalanche engulfed about a dozen skiers on Jan. 23 at a mountain resort in central Japan. Kyodo/via REUTERS

A third snowmobiler, who claimed that he was with the victims, called 911 around 2:15 p.m. He said that he was able to get out, but the two were buried under the heavy snow.

Seeley-Swan SAR, Missoula County SAR K9s, MESI and Seeley Fire helped with the search for the two individuals, said News Breaking Live.

The names of the victims will not be released until their family members have been notified, added ABC FOX Montana.

The outlet also said that Missoula Avalanche has issued an avalanche warning for the southern Mission, southern Swan, Rattlesnake, as well as southern and northern Bitterroot Mountains.

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