- Terry O’Connor, 48, died in the natural disaster in Idaho on Friday.
- His unidentified ski partner pulled him out from under five feet of snow.
- He has been remembered as an “outstanding” and “kind” emergency room doctor.
An “outstanding” and “kind” Idaho doctor died after being struck by an avalanche while skiing late last week, authorities confirmed.
Terry O’Connor, 48, was buried under five feet of snow when the natural disaster hit Donaldson Peak in the Lost River Range on Friday.
His ski partner, who has not been identified, used a shovel to pull him out of the drift before attempting to perform CPR on him, according to the Sawtooth Avalanche Center.
Both O’Connor and his partner are “experienced backcountry skiers,” but according to travel advisories, the 4,400-foot peak is prone to avalanches.
O’Connor’s movements are believed to have triggered a “small wind slab avalanche” that carried him downhill before triggering a second, “larger” avalanche.
Terry O’Connor, 48, was buried under five feet of snow when the natural disaster hit Donaldson Peak in the Lost River Range on Friday.
His ski partner, who has not been identified, used a shovel to pull him out of the drift before attempting to perform CPR on him, according to the Sawtooth Avalanche Center. (In the photo: the region where it happened)
His distraught companion used a satellite communication device to call for help before descending the path opened by the avalanche.
He located O’Connor using his rescue transceiver and a sonar pole buried under “at least five feet of snow.”
Authorities added that they managed to discover him using a shovel before attempting to resuscitate him.
Search and rescue crews also responded and pulled O’Connor out of the snow, but he did not survive the crash.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends,” the Sawtooth Avalanche Center said.
At the time of his death, O’Connor was working as an emergency room physician at St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center.
He was well known in the community for his profession and passion for the outdoors as host of The Adventure Activist podcast.
The Wilderness Medical Society posted a tribute to O’Connor along with a photo of him holding a golden retriever puppy.
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of life member Terry O’Connor,” the organization said.
His ski partner, who has not been identified, used a shovel to pull him out of the drift before attempting to perform CPR on him, according to the Sawtooth Avalanche Center.
‘There are no words to express the kindness he provided, the sacrifices he made, and the impact he had on the emergency medicine and wilderness communities he was a part of.
“Terry was recently recognized as a ‘Healthcare Hero’ by the South Central Idaho Public Health District, and that is how he will truly be remembered.”
The Idaho EMS Physicians Commission, with which O’Connor was previously affiliated, also shared their condolences on Facebook.
“Terry was an exceptional physician and played a critical role in the early days of the COVID pandemic, truly demonstrating the public health role of the EMS medical director within a community,” the commission said.
“His loss will be missed not only in the valley itself but throughout the state and region.”
“A hero to us all and a life lived with such grace and enthusiasm,” another mourner wrote on Facebook. “Thank you (for) being an amazing example to all of us.”
“There’s no way to understand a loss like this,” another commenter said. ‘He gave so much in so many ways. Its value cannot be measured or replaced.”