TRUCKEE, Calif. (KGO) — A large crowd gathered Sunday night in Truckee, Calif., to remember the nine people who died in Tuesday’s avalanche on Castle Peak. Emotions ran high as people expressed their grief.
Voices rose in honor of the nine lives lost. The near tragedy rocked the community in Truckee, a town known for its love of recreation.
“Tonight we focus our hearts on those who are suffering the most,” Truckee Vice Mayor Courtney Henderson said. “He was held by the hundreds of neighbors who showed up tonight. Simply because that’s what we do. Because that’s who we are.”
MORE: Authorities say bodies of all nine skiers missing in deadly avalanche on Castle Peak have been recovered
Crews have recovered the bodies of nine skiers killed in the Castle Peak avalanche in California, authorities said Saturday.
Six friends who shared skiing and motherhood adventures, and three Blackbird Mountain guides, were killed in the deadliest California avalanche ever recorded.
“The families who bear these losses are bearing an unbearable burden,” Henderson said. “What we know is that whatever grief there is tonight, it will not be borne alone.”
More: What we know about 6 mothers among 9 skiers killed in avalanche on Castle Peak
The nine victims, many from the Bay Area, were among a group of 15 people trapped in the avalanche. Six others survived.
Blackbird Mountain Guides issued a new statement late Sunday night, mourning the three employees who died and reading in part: “We also mourn the guests who lost their lives; individuals who shared a love of the outdoors and were part of this close-knit mountain community. We grieve with everyone who is grieving during this extremely difficult time.”
Dangerous weather conditions delayed the search until Friday, when crews were finally able to recover all nine bodies and return them home.
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