Terrence O'Connor: Internet mourns death of Idaho’s ‘outstanding physician’ in avalanche during ski trip

DONALDSON PEAK, IDAHO: A well-known Idaho emergency room doctor, who was an experienced backcountry skier, was killed after he triggered an avalanche while skiing on Friday, 10 a preliminary report found per Fox News. 

Dr Terrence Terry O'Connor from Ketchum, Idaho, was identified as the sole victim of the avalanche, officials said. The Custer County Coroner's Office confirmed the death to Fox News Digital on Sunday evening.

What happened to Dr Terrence Terry O'Connor? 

The 48-year-old was skiing with a partner on Donaldson Peak in the Lost River Range when he accidentally triggered the snowslide, according to authorities.

Around 11:55 am, according to officials, the avalanche started. Authorities referred to O'Connor as a Skier in their reports.

"While downclimbing to their ski descent, Skier 1 triggered and was caught in a small wind slab avalanche," a report from the Sawtooth Avalanche Center reads. "The slide carried Skier 1 downhill, triggering a second and larger avalanche."

The report added that O'Connor's ski partner acted quickly to remove him from the snow and alert authorities. "Skier 2 used a satellite communication device to call for help before descending the avalanche path," the statement continued. "She located Skier 1 with her rescue transceiver and probe pole. Skier 1 was buried under at least 5 feet of snow."

The statement added, "She dug Skier 1 out of the snow with her shovel and began CPR. Search and rescue teams responded and evacuated Skier 1, but he did not survive the accident."

The Idaho EMS Physician Commission, which O'Connor was previously affiliated with,  made a remark expressing condolences over the tragic death.

He said, "Terry was an outstanding physician and played a pivotal role in the early days of the COVID pandemic demonstrating the public health role of the EMS medical director within a community," adding "His loss will be missed not only in the valley itself but throughout the entire state and region."

Internet mourns death of Terrence Terry O'Connor

O'Connor's death sparked sympathetic reactions on social media, with several social media users mourning the death of a doctor.

A user wrote on Fox News  "A tragic incident certainly but the courage, tenacity, and intelligence of his skiing partner is absolutely awe-inspiring."

Another user wrote, "Sad to hear, but he knew the risks better than anyone being an ER doctor near a ski area. I bet he lived life to the fullest in his 48 years." 

A user wrote, "Breaks my heart that we lost a guy like this but I am glad guys like this exist and push the boundaries. " 

Another user said, "Feel so bad for his family." While a user wrote, "Gone too soon...he was a kind man."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.