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 his lift chair into a deep snow ravine Monday, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Monday. Authorities identified him Wednesday as Christian Helger, KSL, an NBC affiliate of Salt Lake City reported.

Investigators believe a pine tree struck the cable behind Helger’s chair Monday morning, causing him to fall as the chairs began to move up and down.

An aerial view of the scene of the ski lift accident on Park City Mountain in Utah on Monday.KSL-TV

Authorities were called to the scene by a ski patrol for an airlift at 11:25 a.m., but the man was unresponsive and rescue efforts failed.

Deirdra Walsh, 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, extends our deepest condolences 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 support our employees as we mourn this devastating loss.”

The Park City Mountain Ski Patrol safely rescued 10 other people who were on the ski lift.

By Robert Collins

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