Denver Man Survives Avalanche on Loveland Pass, Credits Seatbelt and Good Samaritans
A Denver skier narrowly escaped tragedy Friday night when an avalanche on Loveland Pass swept his pickup truck off the road, flipping it multiple times. Vu Nguyen, who was heading home after a day on the slopes, believes his seatbelt and the help of strangers saved his life.
Nguyen was stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic when he noticed a rush of snow moving toward him. Before he could react, the avalanche slammed into his truck, knocking it off the road. The vehicle flipped multiple times, and Nguyen lost consciousness. When he came to, he found himself trapped upside down, buried in snow, with only a broken window as an escape route.
“I took a few gulps of snow so I could breathe and start moving and kicking,” Nguyen recalled. Eventually, he dug his way out, where other drivers rushed to help, throwing him a rope to pull him to safety. Stranded for the night, Good Samaritans took him in, ensuring he could contact his family.
Nguyen’s brother-in-law, Chris Mai, was relieved to hear he was okay. Meanwhile, CDOT crews worked overnight to clear Loveland Pass, which remained partially closed through Saturday. Officials warn that avalanche risks remain high, and travel along I-70 is expected to stay hazardous with slick roads and slow-moving traffic.
Despite the terrifying experience, Nguyen remains eager to return to the slopes once his truck is recovered. “It’s one in a million,” he said. “Might as well go buy a lottery ticket.”
