Utah ski resort employee dies after tree falls on chairlift
A 29-year-old Utah man died this week after a tree fell on the chairlift at the Park City ski resort where he worked.
The man fell from the lift chair into a ravine of deep snow Monday, the Summit County Sheriff's Office said in a news release Monday. Authorities identified him Wednesday as Christian Helger, NBC affiliate KSL of Salt Lake City reported.
Investigators think a pine tree hit the cable behind Helger's chair Monday morning, causing him to fall as chairs began to move up and down.
Authorities were called to the scene by ski patrol for an airlift at 11:25 a.m., but the man was unresponsive, and lifesaving measures failed.
Deirdra Walsh, the vice president of Park City Mountain Resort, confirmed in a statement that the man was an employee.
“The Park City Mountain team — as well as the entire Vail Resorts team — extend our deepest sympathy and support to the family and friends of our team member,” Walsh said. “We are all deeply saddened by this tragic incident, and we will be providing support for our employees as we grieve this devastating loss.”
The Park City Mountain ski patrol safely rescued 10 other people who were on the lift.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
