Avalanche near Haines, Alaska leaves one skier dead, one seriously injured

A heli-skiing guide died Tuesday morning in an avalanche northwest of Haines, according to Alaska State Troopers.

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Troopers received a call about 11 a.m. that two skiers from a group of six were buried. Another group of skiers rushed to help recover them, troopers said.

One of those covered in snow was 35-year-old Telluride, Colo. resident Robert Liberman, who died in the avalanche, troopers said. Liberman was leading the group as a guide with Alaska Heliskiing, troopers said.

Another person was injured and later flown to Seattle for medical treatment. That person, a guided client, was "clinging to life," Haines radio station KHNS reported. Troopers are not releasing that person's name pending notification of next of kin.

Troopers said everyone in the group wore avalanche beacons.