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Friends save pro-snowboarder Brock Crouch from Whistler avalanche

"It took me through about 1000 feet and over several rock bands before I ended up at the bottom"
Vancouver Courier Staff
Brock Crouch
U.S. pro snowboarder Brock Crouch is lucky to be alive after being buried by an avalanche in Whistler for five minutes before friends rescued him. He was taken to Vancouver General Hospital and is now home.Instagram

An American pro-snowboarder has survived after being buried alive by an avalanche in the backcountry of Whistler, B.C.

Eighteen-year-old Brock Crouch was under the snow for five minutes before his friends uncovered him in a harrowing rescue.

"It took me through about 1000 feet and over several rock bands before I ended up at the bottom, buried with no oxygen for almost 5 minutes," he writes on Instagram. "Luckily for me, I was with some of the most experienced people in the world when it comes to back country safety and without them I wouldn’t be here today so thank you all!"

Injuries included a torn pancreas, fifth teeth knocked out, a periorbital hemotoma in his right eye and fractured L2 L3 and my T12 vertebrae.

Shin Campos, who was on the mountain with Crouch, says the crew snapped into action when they heard the loud rumble of an avalanche.
 

 

A few days ago, I was in the Whistler back country filming with @johnjamun , @camfitzpatrick , @marktremblay , @getsalano , and Justin Hostynek when I was unfortunately caught in a pretty big avalanche. I was standing at the top of a ridge with Cam when the cornice broke under me and pulled me backwards into a slide. It took me through about 1000 feet and over several rock bands before I ended up at the bottom, buried with no oxygen for almost 5 minutes. Luckily for me, I was with some of the most experienced people in the world when it comes to back country safety and without them I wouldn’t be here today so thank you all! I tore my pancreas, knocked out 5 teeth, got a "periorbital hemotoma (basically closed up my right eye) and fractured my L2 L3 and my T12 vertebrae. Initially, I didn't know what to expect because we didn't know how serious my spine and pancreas injuries were. Last night, we got some final results from the doctors and somehow by the grace of God I don't need any surgery and I get to leave here in the next few days since there was no spine or nerve damage. I can’t thank everyone enough for all the love I’ve been shown the last few days. I especially want to thank our pilot, Justin, John, Cam, Mark and Shin for saving my life. I love snowboarding more today than I ever have and I can’t wait to get back on my board and shred with everyone again!

A post shared by Brock Crouch (@brockcrouch) on

He says Crouch was blue but conscious when they uncovered his head about two feet beneath the surface.

Campos says Crouch was released from Vancouver Hospital yesterday and has made his way home to California to start his recovery.

 

Crouch has competed in three X Games and was also part of the 2017 U.S. Surfing team that won gold at the I.S.A. World Junior Surfing Championships in Japan.

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