MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) – David Linder, one of the owners of Radio Mankato, was identified as one of three individuals who died in an avalanche near Girdwood, Alaska on Tuesday. The avalanche occurred while Linder and two other men were part of a heli-skiing group when they became trapped under at least 40 feet of snow.
- David Linder identified as avalanche victim.
- Two other victims: Jeremy Leif and Charles Eppard.
- Avalanche occurred near Girdwood, Alaska.
- Poor weather hampers recovery efforts.
- Linder was owner of Radio Mankato.
- He leaves behind a wife and three sons.
The victims included Jeremy Leif, 38, from Minneapolis, and Charles Eppard, 39, from Bigfork, Montana. Authorities reported that poor weather conditions have hindered recovery efforts since the avalanche took place in the afternoon.
The tragic incident unfolded on March 6 in Girdwood, a small resort town in southern Alaska. Linder was 39 years old and had taken over Radio Mankato after his father’s passing in 2017. The other victims were identified as Jeremy Leif and Charles Eppard; all three were buried under significant amounts of snow following the avalanche.
According to reports from Alaska Wildlife Troopers:
- The avalanche depth reached at least 40 feet with some areas potentially exceeding 100 feet.
- A fourth skier from their group managed to escape unharmed.
Rescue teams have been unable to assess the site or begin recovery operations due to ongoing poor weather conditions. This incident has raised concerns about safety measures for heli-skiing activities during winter months.
This devastating event highlights the risks associated with extreme sports like heli-skiing and serves as a reminder for outdoor enthusiasts to prioritize safety precautions during winter activities.
