Parents sue company after son’s avalanche death
By AP
ANCHORAGE — The parents of a 26-year-old Truckee snowboarder who died after an Alaska avalanche have filed a federal lawsuit against a heli-skiing company, alleging it failed to assess the danger in the area.
Nickolay Dobov died after the March 2012 Haines-area avalanche hit a group of skiers. Dodov was flown to Seattle for treatment and died there the following day.
The Takhin Ridge avalanche also killed 35-year-old Rob Liberman of Telluride, Colo., who was guiding the group for tour provider Alaska Heliskiing, based in Haines. Liberman was found dead after the snowslide.
Natalia and Alex Dodov allege Alaska Heliskiing also failed to provide more than one guide and adequate radios, among other complaints, the Alaska Dispatch News reported. The couple also alleges the company used misleading marketing that implied reduced risks.
A voicemail message left at a telephone number listed for the company was not immediately returned Friday.
Alaska state troopers said 6 to 8 feet of snow buried Nickolay Dobov and Liberman. Everyone in the group was wearing avalanche beacons, and a second nearby group of skiers rushed to help uncover those hit by the snow.
The wrongful-death lawsuit was filed July 16 in U.S. District Court. It seeks an unspecified amount of money, including money for funeral and burial expenses, and to promote backcountry snow safety.
An earlier lawsuit was filed in state court in February, and the venue has since been moved to federal District Court.
Alaska Heliskiing is expected to respond to the lawsuit by Aug. 20.
After their son’s death, the Dodovs created a nonprofit foundation promoting snow sports safety and awareness, and have sought sanctions against the company. They allege Alaska Heliskiing “sought profit above safety,” according to court records.
The couple also wrote to five U.S. senators last year, urging Congress to investigate.
I’m sorry for their loss. But what they are doing is wrong on so many levels. People who like to live on the edge know the risks they are taking. There is nobody to blame in this. Ruining the sport won’t bring their son back. And he would probably be very unhappy with his parents for what they’re doing.
‘And he would probably be very unhappy with his parents for what they’re doing.’
I speculate that he takes offense to your speculation and is offended that he is being represented by an uncompassionate half wit who thinks the earth is a few thousand years old.
Fish, you’re becoming a really nasty little troll. Practically a stalker.
Say something new for a change. You’re also getting stale.
“Fish, you’re becoming a really nasty little troll. Practically a stalker.”
I’m confused Dog. You continually rail against other posters for name calling, yet you quite often do just that.
Double standard?
Dog logic. Yawn…
When I stepped out of a helicopter with skis I knew exactly what the risks were. So did everyone else on the helicopter, we all talked about the possibilities. Avalanche forecasting is as much art as science, things can go wrong.
Dog is right on this one.