Body of Minnesota man trapped in avalanche recovered by Alaskan officials

The body of one of the three men trapped in an Alaskan avalanche earlier this year has been recovered by officials.

As previously reported, three skiers went missing after an avalanche on March 4 near Girdwood, about 40 miles south of Anchorage. Initial rescue efforts were unsuccessful due to the “high risk of additional avalanches” and the location where the men were believed to be buried.

On Oct. 3, volunteers from the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group and Girdwood Volunteer Fire Department went to the landslide area and recovered a man’s body, who had been caught in a log jam in the river flowing underneath the avalanche slide area.

The Alaska State Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man as 39-year-old David Linder.

Linder was identified by Radio Mankato as one of their owners and managing partner Matt Ketelsen released the following statement:

“I will remember Dave Linder as an amazing family man, one of the smartest people I’ve ever known and someone who lived life to the fullest. Dave cared about his radio stations and the communities that we serve. He leaves behind a beautiful wife and three great children.”

Linder was skiing with Jeremy Leif, 38, who was also from Minnesota and Charles Eppard, 39, who attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

RELATED: Loved ones remember men with Minnesota ties feared dead in Alaska avalanche

The bodies of Leif and Eppard have not been found yet as Alaska State Troopers continue searching with additional overflight and ground operations.

The post Body of Minnesota man trapped in avalanche recovered by Alaskan officials first appeared on KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News.