Colson stated in a press release that Romios was snowmobiling in the Battle Lake area of the Sierra Madre Mountains about 2 p.m. Sunday with four other people. Romios' snow machine got stuck on a hillside near Battle Lake when an avalanche, about 150 yards wide and a half-mile long, engulfed him and his machine, the sheriff stated. He stated that one person left to seek help, while the other three members of the party began digging to try to find Romios. Sheriff's deputies, members of search and rescue teams from Encampment and Saratoga and more than 30 other volunteers arrived on the scene and began probing for Romios, according to Colson. He stated that emergency workers started CPR on the victim, who then was rushed to Corbett Medical Center and pronounced dead a short time later.
Indications seem to be of a group of snowmobilers high-marking in an area that was ripe for sliding.
They were used to running sleds in this area, but this year's snow strata won't stand for it.