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Snowboarder Dies In Avalanche Near Vail Pass

VAIL, Colo. (AP/CBS4) — Eagle County sheriff's officials say a snowboarder has died after being caught in a backcountry avalanche south of Vail Pass.

Sheriff's officials say three friends had been taking turns snowboarding down the Avalanche Bowl all day Thursday. They say it appears the avalanche was triggered by two snowboarders who were dropped off at the top of the bowl by the third person on a snowmobile. One snowboarder escaped the avalanche, but the other was trapped. The friends found the trapped snowboarder using avalanche beacons but were unable to revive the person.

The snowboarder's has been identified as Mark McCarron, 38, of Westminster.

Detectives say the parties involved were under the influence of a strain of marijuana at the time.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.) 

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