Utah Rockslide Crushes Home, Kills Two: Residents of Rockville Mourn Loss of Well-Known Neighbors

Two people died Thursday evening, after massive boulders pummeled their two-story home in the southern Utah city of Rockville.

More than six rocks the size of cars tumbled from a cliff located near the house, the Associated Press reported. An adjoining garage was also crushed beneath the weight of the enormous boulders.

The remains of the two residents were found after search crews combed through the rubble late into Thursday evening, Springdale Police Officer Kurt Wright told AP. But the site has been deemed "unstable," barring rescue teams from extracting the bodies without a proper plan of action.

Officials have not yet released the identities of the deceased, but Wright did say that they were a duo known and well-liked by many of their neighbors.

"It's been tough to see the people show up and crumble into tears," Wright told KSL-TV. "It's been hard for the whole canyon."

Rescue crews returned to the site of the accident on Friday to determine a suitable way to remove the bodies.

Wright told AP that snow and ice had accumulated between the rocks on the side of a cliff - according to Utah Geological Survey rep Tyler Knudson, this can prompt rock falls, since the melted snow can re-freeze, expand, and loosen the boulders.

"We typically do tend to see more rock falls during high precipitation events, rain or snow," Knudson told KSL. "It is more common in the winter, fall and spring."