NORTH POWDER — A student attending a Washington college died following a ski accident on the northwest slope of Gunsight Peak, southwest of the Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort’s ski area, on Saturday, March 5.

Ella Carr, 20, was severely injured after losing control and crashing into trees, according to a Union County Search and Rescue press release.

The accident was reported at 11:22 a.m. March 5 after a person Carr was skiing with called 911, according to Union County Search and Rescue Coordinator Nick Vora.

Search and rescue teams from the Union and Baker county sheriff’s offices, plus crews from the La Grande and North Powder Rural fire departments, U.S. Forest Service law enforcement and the Anthony Lakes Ski Patrol all responded to the accident.

In addition to the responding ground resources, a Life Flight medevac helicopter was ordered, along with a hoist-capable medevac helicopter from the Oregon Army National Guard due to the steep terrain and reported severity of injuries.

The helicopter’s hoist equipment would have allowed Carr to be pulled into the aircraft while it was hovering. Vora said it would have been impossible for a helicopter to land at the site.

About one hour and 20 minutes after the initial call of the accident was received, a ski patrol and Anthony Lakes staff managed to climb up the approximately 38-degree slope and reach Carr. They assessed the situation, and then initiated transport down to the base of the peak where arriving La Grande Fire Department paramedics, search and rescue teams from the Baker and Union County sheriff’s offices, USFS law enforcement and additional ski patrol personnel had begun accessing the area.

Tracked utility vehicles and snowmobiles were used to reach the base of the peak, but the slope of the peak itself was accessible only by foot due to hazards and the steepness of the terrain. The team of ski patrol and Anthony Lakes staff navigated down the steep slope and met with incoming SAR and medical personnel. It was confirmed by paramedics that Carr had died at the scene from injuries sustained in the ski accident.

Carr had gone up to Gunsight Mountain by using backcountry ski equipment, including skis with a fabric that allows skiers to go uphill, Vora said.

“Gunsight Mountain is a fairly popular place for people to ski,” Vora said. “It is not uncommon for people to traverse up the mountain.”

Vora said many places in the Anthony Lakes area do not have cell coverage. He said Carr’s companion was likely able to get cellphone service because of the height of Gunsight Mountain, which has a top elevation of 8,342 feet.

“If he had been lower he might not have been able to get cellphone service,” he said.

Vora said weather in the area at the accident site was cold but good overall for rescue operations because no snow was falling.

“Overall there was good visibility,” he said.

Vora credits members of the Anthony Lakes Ski Patrol and the Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort staff with getting to the accident site quickly. He said without their help it would have taken at least an hour longer for rescue personnel to reach Carr.

“I can’t thank them enough,” he said.