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CNN Saturday Morning News

Interview with Dennis Harris

Aired December 27, 2003 - 09:06   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


HOLLY FIRFER, CNN ANCHOR: In the Utah mountains above Sundance, search and rescue teams will begin looking for three snowboarders lost in an avalanche just as soon as officials feel it is safe enough to be on the slopes.
Dennis Harris is the public information officer with the Utah County Sheriff's Department. He joins us on the phone now with a status report.

And Mr. Harris, what can tell us about when the search might resume?

DENNIS HARRIS, UTAH COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT (on phone): I believe that the search will probably start sometime between 9:00 and 10:00 today. Our attempt is to go ahead and stabilize the area that we're working in.

We've had approximately three avalanches yesterday, and so we will be sending some choppers over the area early this morning at first light. And we're attempting to go ahead and stabilize the area by putting controlled explosives high above the avalanche path so that we put our people out there and feel comfortable they're going to be safe.

FIRFER: Do they know what caused this avalanche?

HARRIS: I spoke with (UNINTELLIGIBLE). We have no reason to believe it was caused by humans. We just had a lot of snow. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is we had 20 inches (UNINTELLIGIBLE), (UNINTELLIGIBLE), a lot of weight, the snow blowing, you know, the wind blowing. And it is just a combination making it a real bad area.

FIRFER: OK, Dennis Harris, the public information officer with Utah Sheriff's County -- Sheriff's -- County Sheriff's Department. We thank you for your time.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired December 27, 2003 - 09:06   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN ANCHOR: In the Utah mountains above Sundance, search and rescue teams will begin looking for three snowboarders lost in an avalanche just as soon as officials feel it is safe enough to be on the slopes.
Dennis Harris is the public information officer with the Utah County Sheriff's Department. He joins us on the phone now with a status report.

And Mr. Harris, what can tell us about when the search might resume?

DENNIS HARRIS, UTAH COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT (on phone): I believe that the search will probably start sometime between 9:00 and 10:00 today. Our attempt is to go ahead and stabilize the area that we're working in.

We've had approximately three avalanches yesterday, and so we will be sending some choppers over the area early this morning at first light. And we're attempting to go ahead and stabilize the area by putting controlled explosives high above the avalanche path so that we put our people out there and feel comfortable they're going to be safe.

FIRFER: Do they know what caused this avalanche?

HARRIS: I spoke with (UNINTELLIGIBLE). We have no reason to believe it was caused by humans. We just had a lot of snow. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is we had 20 inches (UNINTELLIGIBLE), (UNINTELLIGIBLE), a lot of weight, the snow blowing, you know, the wind blowing. And it is just a combination making it a real bad area.

FIRFER: OK, Dennis Harris, the public information officer with Utah Sheriff's County -- Sheriff's -- County Sheriff's Department. We thank you for your time.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com