N.H. man is injured in avalanche

A skier suffered a life-threatening leg injury Saturday when he was caught in an avalanche on Mount Washington in New Hampshire, officials said Monday.

Dominick Torro, 30, was skiing with a friend down a run called Airplane Gully around 11:30 a.m. when he triggered an avalanche, according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and other officials.

The run is “well known in the backcountry ski community,” said Jeffrey Fongemie, director of the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, by email.

Other skiers have caused avalanches on that run, Fongemie said, but officials don’t have firsthand details of them.

“Being caught in an avalanche is never a good thing, but sometimes a skier can be caught and carried in an avalanche, not be hurt, and choose not to report it,” Fongemie said.

Torro’s friend and another skier called 911 and provided aid to Torro. A National Guard helicopter was dispatched and the Mount Washington State Park and Mount Washington Auto Road initiated a backup ground rescue, officials said.

While waiting for rescuers, the skiers grew increasingly concerned over Torro’s condition.

“Concern about specific and needed medical action rose to the level that a joint phone call was made to a highly experienced backcountry paramedic in order to give medical guidance to the two skiers,” officials said.

They stabilized Torro and cleared an area on the slope where he could be airlifted.

“Both skiers who gave aid did a great job, considering the conditions and situation,” officials said.

Around 3:20 p.m., the paramedic was lowered from the helicopter and began assessing Torro. The two were lifted back into the helicopter shortly before 4 p.m., officials said.

Torro, who lives in Bow, N.H., was taken to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Officials did not have an update on his condition Monday.