Mansfield Skier Killed In New Mexico Avalanche

TAOS SKI VALLEY, NM — A 26-year-old man from Mansfield was killed on a ski trip in New Mexico after getting trapped in a rare avalanche.

Around 11:30 a.m., on Thursday, Matthew Zonghetti, was skiing at Taos Ski Valley when an avalanche occurred at Kachina Peak and buried two skiers, including Zonghetti, WBZ 4 reported. Zonghetti was on an annual ski trip with his father, who was at the base of the mountain when the avalanche hit. A second skier trapped is in critical condition. Rescue crews told WBZ 4 they got the two men out and administered CPR, before rushing them to the ski resort's Mogul Medical Clinic, but Zonghetti did not survive.

It is not yet known what caused the avalanche. Chris Stagg, vice president of public affairs for Taos Ski Valley, told WBZ that avalanches at the resort are rare, and they use explosives every morning, blasting snow to prevent them.

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