A 34-year-old Washington man died while solo skiing on Mount Bachelor on Monday after he fell into a tree well, according to Deschutes County Sgt. Jason Wall.
Snowboarders who happened to be riding behind Benjamin Shelkey of Seattle saw his tracks and summoned rescuers with an Apple device, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said.
The snowboarders' SOS text message included the group’s GPS coordinates, and rescuers quickly traveled to the location, where Shelkey was buried in snow.
After freeing him, rescuers took Shelkey to the Mt. Bachelor Clinic, where he died.
An investigation into his death is ongoing, but the sheriff’s office said "the circumstances are consistent with snow immersion suffocation."
The sheriff’s office urged people to be careful as snow levels rise.
“This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts are with those who knew and loved him,” said Sheriff Kent van der Kamp in a written statement. “We also want to recognize the swift response and dedication of all those citizens and ski patrollers who assisted in this rescue effort. Tragedies like this remind us of the risks of outdoor recreation, and we encourage everyone to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions when venturing into deep snow conditions.”
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