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Avalanche tragedy
By Michele Sample
Lt. Mike DeBoer from South Metro Fire and Rescue said his friend Brian Kopp loved firefighting, snowmobiling and helping people.
“It sounds cliche, but it sums Brian up,” DeBoer said.
Kopp, a 38-year-old Larkspur resident and South Metro Fire and Rescue firefighter, died over the weekend as an avalanche pummeled down on him while snowmobiling by Grand Lake, Colo.
On Dec. 27, Kopp, along with friend Chuck Goetz and his 19-year-old son, Mark, were at a popular recreation area northwest of Granby.
According to a friend and co-worker, Kopp was trying to help Mark when the 200-foot-wide wall of snow enclosed on them.
Chuck Goetz was able to escape the avalanche, while his son and Kopp were not.
According to authorities Goetz called for help at 11,200 feet on Gravel Mountain. As rescuers arrived at the scene, Goetz had dug Kopp out of the snow and was performing CPR on his longtime friend. Goetz’s son was buried under 3 to 4 feet of snow for almost two hours.
Kopp worked out of fire station 34, located at 8871 Maximus Drive near Park Meadows mall.
Public Information Officer for South Metro Fire and Rescue Becky O’Guin said, “We are getting through this tragic event the best we can.” O’Guin said Kopp’s body will be brought to Castle Rock Dec. 29, and funeral arrangements should be finalized by the end of the day.
Kopp is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and his 11-year-old twin children, Alan and Elli.
“Along with being a good friend, Brian was a perfect father,” DeBoer said.
Donations for the family can be made through the Firefighters Union Foundation, at P.O. Box 5362, Inglewood, Colo. 80155. A notation with Brian Kopp’s name should accompany the donation. A bank account donation is also being set up and should be available Dec. 29, according to DeBoer.
“It sounds cliche, but it sums Brian up,” DeBoer said.
Kopp, a 38-year-old Larkspur resident and South Metro Fire and Rescue firefighter, died over the weekend as an avalanche pummeled down on him while snowmobiling by Grand Lake, Colo.
On Dec. 27, Kopp, along with friend Chuck Goetz and his 19-year-old son, Mark, were at a popular recreation area northwest of Granby.
According to a friend and co-worker, Kopp was trying to help Mark when the 200-foot-wide wall of snow enclosed on them.
Chuck Goetz was able to escape the avalanche, while his son and Kopp were not.
According to authorities Goetz called for help at 11,200 feet on Gravel Mountain. As rescuers arrived at the scene, Goetz had dug Kopp out of the snow and was performing CPR on his longtime friend. Goetz’s son was buried under 3 to 4 feet of snow for almost two hours.
Kopp worked out of fire station 34, located at 8871 Maximus Drive near Park Meadows mall.
Public Information Officer for South Metro Fire and Rescue Becky O’Guin said, “We are getting through this tragic event the best we can.” O’Guin said Kopp’s body will be brought to Castle Rock Dec. 29, and funeral arrangements should be finalized by the end of the day.
Kopp is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and his 11-year-old twin children, Alan and Elli.
“Along with being a good friend, Brian was a perfect father,” DeBoer said.
Donations for the family can be made through the Firefighters Union Foundation, at P.O. Box 5362, Inglewood, Colo. 80155. A notation with Brian Kopp’s name should accompany the donation. A bank account donation is also being set up and should be available Dec. 29, according to DeBoer.
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