The neighbors didn’t wait for rescue to show up, they grabbed their shovels and went to work
Via KRTV
An avalanche roared down Mount Jumbo at around 4 p.m. on Friday, with a wall of snow racing toward homes in the lower Rattlesnake.
The avalanche wiped out one home on Harrison, damaged others, and left three people buried beneath it.
Neighbors rushed to help out, using shovels and hands to try and dig them out – and search and rescue crews arrived a short time later – eventually pulling all three victims out alive.
Paul Koz saw the avalanche as it poured down the side of Mount Jumbo and plowed into what was a two story house, “and then I came with my shovel,” he said.
Koz, dozens of nearby residents, and law enforcement rushed almost immediately on the scene and started digging – looking for survivors. Rescuers used chain saws, shovels, and practically their bare hands to rip apart the collapsed home.
The news soon came that a child had been found trapped underneath, but authorities believed there were still more victims.
“We saved a life, she was definitely alive we were right next to her when they pulled her out, and she was moving and alive so it was great,” said volunteer Craig McKay.