Key takeaways:
- Two men, one of whom was an American pro freeskier, died in an avalanche on the eastern slope of Mount Hakuba Norikura in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
- The two deceased men were identified as American pro freeskier, David Smaine, and an Austrian skier.
- Mount Hakuba Norikura is a popular ski resort in Japan, known for its steep slopes and deep powder, and avalanches are a common hazard in the area.
Five foreign skiers, including two men, were caught in an avalanche on Sunday afternoon on the eastern slope of Mount Hakuba Norikura in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. On Monday, American and Japanese media reported that two of the men, one of whom was an American pro freeskier, had died in the avalanche.
The two deceased men were identified as American pro freeskier, David Smaine, and an Austrian skier. Smaine was skiing in Nagano Prefecture, in the center of Japan’s Honshu island, when the avalanche unfolded. His father, William Smaine, confirmed the news to NBC News.
Rescuers reached the accident site Monday and recovered the two men, who showed no vital signs, the police confirmed. The other three skiers were unharmed. The cause of the avalanche is still under investigation.
Mount Hakuba Norikura is a popular ski resort in Japan, and is known for its steep slopes and deep powder. Avalanches are a common hazard in the area, and the police have warned skiers to take extra caution when skiing in the backcountry.
The Nagano Prefectural police have expressed their condolences to the families of the two deceased skiers. They have also reminded skiers to be aware of the risks of backcountry skiing and to take the necessary safety precautions.
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