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Skier critically injured after hitting tree at Brighton

Posted at 12:22 PM, Jan 15, 2017
and last updated 2017-01-15 17:31:48-05

BRIGHTON, Utah – A man was flown to a hospital in very critical condition Sunday after he struck a tree while skiing at Brighton Resort.

Lt. Brian Lohrke of the Unified Police Department said canyon patrol officers were called shortly after 11:30 a.m. Sunday about an accident with traumatic injuries.

A 35-year-old man was skiing with a friend on the resort grounds, and the victim got slightly ahead of his friend.

“[The friend] was coming down the mountain and saw a helmet laying in the snow, he looked to see and recognized it as his friend’s helmet,” Lohrke said. “He started looking around and saw his friend unconscious near a tree.”

Medical personnel responded, and the man was flown to Intermountain Medical Center in very critical condition, Lohrke said.

“It looks like he sustained serious injuries to his head,” he said. “…He had a helmet on, and apparently it was knocked off or fell off.”

Lohrke said there were no witnesses to the actual crash, but all indications are that the man accidentally struck a tree.

“With skiing or any type of outdoor recreation there comes a risk,” Lohrke said. “He did take precautions, wearing protective equipment at the time and was with a friend, unfortunately just a tragic accident.”