First Tracks
reported 3 people died in accidents at ski resorts deaths last week. Very sad, and scary for a parent as two were youths.
Snowboarder Dies in Mogul Field at Wisconsin Ski Area
Wausau, WI - A 26-year old snowboarder died Wednesday night [January 8, 2009] after he was found face down and unconscious in a mogul field at Granite Peak ski area near Wausau.
The deceased was identified as Kyle D. Suske of rural Athens, Wisc. According to a detective with the Marathon County Sheriff's Department, an autopsy determined Suske died of blunt force trauma to the chest, causing his heart to stop functioning.
A friend had been snowboarding with Suske shortly before 7 p.m. local time, but when he turned around to look he only saw Suske face down in the snow. No one is known to have witnessed the accident.
Suske was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.
Montana Man Dies in Ski Accident at Lost Trail Powder Mountain
Darby, MT - Authorities have identified a man who died Thursday [January 8, 2009] following a ski accident at Montana's Lost Trail Powder Mountain south of Darby.
Ravalli County Sheriff/Coroner Chris Hoffman has identified the victim as Craig J. Foley of Butte, Montana. Foley, 60 years old, suffered a fall but was able to ski to the bottom of the hill before collapsing.
Medical personnel gave aid on the scene and Foley was transported to Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital in Hamilton, where he was pronounced dead.
The cause of death was listed as blunt force injuries.
Indiana Girl Strikes Tree, Dies at Michigan Ski Resort
Gaylord, MI - A 16-year old Cedar Lake, Ind. skier struck a tree and died Thursday [January 8, 2009] at Treetops Resort in Gaylord.
Michigan State Police say that Amanda Vignere was visiting Treetops Resort with her church group Thursday when she failed to return to the group's bus when the ski area closed at 8 p.m. She was reported as missing to the Treetops ski patrol, and was located by a member of the ski patrol at approximately 8:30 p.m. in a wooded area five feet off the groomed run. She was alive when found, but her heart stopped en route to the hospital, according to a statement issued by the First Baptist Church of Hammond.
Authorities report that Vignere died of a head injury. She was not wearing a helmet.
