Local snowmobiler dies in avalanche near Headquarters
Carl Corder, 60, of Orofino died Sunday noon in an avalanche, 15 miles northeast
of Headquarters and Mike Stamper, also of Orofino, suffered minor injuries in
the avalanche.
Corder, a state highway employee, who could not be revived, died at the scene and Stamper who suffered minor injuries was brought to Clearwater Valley Hospital.
The pair was snowmobiling with three other men in the Sheep Mountain area at the time of the accident. Corder and Stamper were hit by the avalanche.
Stamper reportedly grabbed the front bumper of the snowmobile and rode under the snowmobile which provided an air pocket and the handlebar was sticking out so the other snowmobilers knew where to search.
According to the Corder family three other snowmobilers had gone up the hill and Corder and Stamper had turned to come back down when the avalanche occurred.
One subject stated to officers that the avalanche swept him over a cliff approximately 20 feet high below the road.
According to the Corder family Brian Corder was riding with his father, Carl and they were riding on the road.
The Clearwater County Sheriff’s office received the accident report around noon Sunday of an avalanche with two subjects trapped.
According to Chris Goetz, Clearwater County Sheriff Chief Deputy, both subjects were located by the rest of their party, who reported CPR was in progress with one patient. Back Country Rescue located the subjects and flew one patient, Mike Stamper to Clearwater Valley Hospital with minor injuries.
A Fish and Game officer assisted Clearwater deputies at the scene. The Back Country Medical Helicopter (pictured) was dispatched.