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Body found buried day after Brighton roof avalanche

The body of a 50-year-old Holladay man was found buried in the snow following a presumed roof avalanche in Brighton.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Cabins are buried with snow near Solitude Ski Resort, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.

BRIGHTON, Utah • The body of a 50-year-old Holladay man was found buried in the snow following a presumed roof avalanche in Brighton.

Unified Police believe Ryan Peterson had gone to clear snow from a roof near Brighton Loop Road on Monday when the avalanche occurred, burying him underneath.

On Tuesday, police were asked to make a welfare check at the home after Peterson had not been heard from, and found his body in the snow.

Following the accident, the Town of Brighton expressed its condolences to Peterson’s family, and shared the following recommendations for residents:

  • Please stay off your roofs, it is too dangerous.
  • It is safer to let the snow melt naturally at this point rather than trying to remove the snow.
  • If you see any deflection in your roof beams or cracked roof joints, notify a professional roofer immediately. They will have equipment to remove the snow safely and securely.
  • Keep children and pets away from any areas on or around roofs.

    • Following this winter’s historic snow season, Utah residents have been warned about the dangers of roof avalanches, which occur when snow falls from the tops of structures. With warmer temperatures throughout northern Utah, conditions exist for snow to quickly melt.

    Last month, a 9-year-old boy was rescued after being buried by an avalanche in Alta.

    This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aim to inform readers across the state.

    By Jeff Tavss | FOX 13