A Bonney Lake police officer and another man were killed Saturday afternoon when they were hit by an avalanche while snowmobiling near Cle Elum.
Two other men survived, one with serious injuries. The City of Bonney Lake identified the officer as James Larsen, who worked on the police force for more than 14 years.
The other victim was 27-year-old Zach Roundtree of Bonney Lake, the son of a longtime employee of Bonney Lake's Public Works department.
Larsen leaves behind his parents and two sisters.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with them and we hope that some level of peace comes soon. The avalanche danger in many areas is still high. Please be aware of the risks, as this marks the fifth avalanche death in the past seven days," said Kittitas County Under-sheriff Clayton Meyers.
Last week, two teens from Bellevue died in an avalanche while snowshoeing at Alpental. Officials say one was an experienced snowshoer and both were wearing avalanche beacons.
An Issaquah man died in another avalanche near Stampede Pass west of Cle Elum.
The Northwest Avalanche Center is reporting that the danger is "moderate" in all of the western part of the Washington Cascades and "considerable on the eastern part. Click here for more information.
