Jonathan Mendelsohn
A shocking video has been posted on Instagram by avid skier Francis Zuber. The video in question depicts Zuber coming to the rescue of a snowboarder who became buried under the snow when he fell into a tree well. Tree wells are spaces around trees where snow does not accumulate, creating a sinkhole of sorts.
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In Zuber’s video, the skier slides down a snowy hill when he sees something peculiar behind him. He soon realizes that a snowboard is sticking up out from under the snow.
Francis Zuber’s Epic Rescue Video
After Zuber spots the snowboard in the snow, he starts to dig, realizing that a person is buried underneath. Zuber digs for what must have been minutes. Finally, after a long agonizing while, Zuber uncovers the unnamed man’s arm and face.
Zuber tells the man, whose face is now visible, “OK, you’re good, I got you,” before adding, “Alright we’re both gonna catch our breath for a sec, then I’m gonna help dig you out, OK?” The man responds with “Thank you, I’m good,” while breathing in deep.
The video comes to an end with Zuber digging the rest of the man’s body out of the snow with a shovel. The man, whose torso and legs are still fully trapped beneath the snow, exclaims, “Take your time man.” Zuber responds with “Dude, you’re good man.”
In the caption for the video, Zuber wrote, “The mountains don’t care how much skill or experience you have. They don’t even care if you and your ski partners are doing everything right.” He added, “I’m thankful I knew just enough to scrape by and perform a successful rescue.” Zuber has stated that he believes anyone participating in snowsports should take avalanche training courses in order to be prepared for the unthinkable while out on the slopes.
