A man is dead following an apparent tree well encounter at Washington State’s 49 Degrees North ski area reports The Spokesman-Review.
Related: The Dangers of Tree Wells and Ski Immersion Suffocation
Andy Harbolt, a captain with the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office, indicated that the man likely fell into the tree well backwards. Most people who fall into tree wells die from what medical professionals refer to as “snow immersion suffocation.”
Each year, tree wells account for a percentage of skiing related deaths and we urge skiers and riders to keep their partner in sight when riding through densely wooded terrain.
*Our deepest condolences go out to the victim’s friends and family.
Find the entire Spokesman-Review article here: Man falls, dies at 49 Degrees North ski area