Bonney Lake Police Officer Dies In Avalanche Near Cle Elum

CLE ELUM, WA - An avalanche killed two snowmobilers with ties to Bonney Lake and injured two others 20 miles outside of Cle Elum. The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office said the avalanche occurred at 4,600 feet elevation north of Esmeralda Peak and that communication was difficult.

James Larsen, 41, who died in the Saturday afternoon avalanche, was a Bonney Lake police officer for over 14 years. Previously, he was a police officer in Yelm. Mayor Neil Johnson has ordered all city flags to be flown at half-mast in honor of Officer Larsen.

Zach Roundtree, 27, of Bonney Lake, was also killed in the avalanche. Ryan Journey, 27, of Bonney Lake, suffered minor injuries. Kyle Ottwell, 26, of Bonney Lake, was transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment.

Yakima County Search & Rescue, Kittitas County Search & Rescue, and King County and Chelan County Aircrews, along with the assistance of other snowmobilers, located the victims.

Undersheriff Clay Myers said in a statement, "On behalf of the Sheriff's Office, there are just no words that will answer all the questions the friends and family have about why their loved ones were taken. Only patience, time and support will lessen that pain. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and we hope that some level of peace comes soon. The avalanche danger in many areas is still high, please be aware of the risks, as this marks the fifth avalanche death in the past 7 days."

Last weekend another avalanche near Mirror Lake swept away five snowmobilers, resulting in the death of an Issaquah man. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Bonney Lake-Sumner Patch, click here to find your local Washington Patch. Also, follow us on Facebook, and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Image via Bonney Lake Police Department