Mount Bachelor Ski Resort – Tragic news out of Oregon where a guest at Mount Bachelor Ski Resort died on March 17, 2025 in an apparent snow immersion suffocation accident.

Deschutes County 911 received an SOS text message from an Apple device via satellite at 3:04pm reporting a “trapped and injured person in steep terrain.” The message included GPS coordinates directing first responders to the westside of Mount Bachelor.

911 dispatchers made voice contact with the reporting party and provided CPR instructions while sending out rescue teams from Mt. Bachelor Ski Patrol, AirLink, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Sheriff Search and Rescue.

Mount Bachelor Ski Patrol members reached the scene and took over medical care. The victim has been identified as 34-year-old Benjamin Shelkey of Seattle. Skelkey was transported to the Mount Bachelor Clinic where he later passed away from his injuries.

The cause of death remains under investigation but initial reports suggest snow immersion suffocation. Shelkey was found unresponsive, buried headfirst in a tree well. It took bystanders 15 to 20 minutes to extract him from the tree well before initiating CPR. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office will continue to investigate the incident.

Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends. Read the full press release from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office below.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Press Release:

On March 17, 2025, at 3:04 p.m., Deschutes County 911 received an emergency SOS text message from an Apple device via satellite. The message reported a “trapped and injured person in steep terrain.” GPS coordinates included in the message indicated the location was on the west side of Mount Bachelor. (43.9861 -121.7032)

911 dispatchers immediately dispatched Mt. Bachelor Ski Patrol, AirLink, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) deputies, and Sheriff Search and Rescue teams to the scene. Dispatchers also established voice contact with the reporting party and provided CPR and life-saving instructions.

Ski patrollers reached the reporting party and assumed patient care. Minutes later, the patient was transported to the Mt. Bachelor Clinic, where he succumbed to his injuries.

DCSO deputies identified the deceased as Benjamin Shelkey, 34, of Seattle, Washington. Investigators determined Shelkey was found unresponsive, buried headfirst in a tree well. Third parties at the scene worked for approximately 15 to 20 minutes to free him before beginning CPR.

While the cause of the accident remains under investigation, and the official cause of death has not yet been determined, the circumstances are consistent with snow immersion suffocation. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office urges outdoor enthusiasts to use caution when recreating in backcountry and resort areas, particularly in deep snow conditions.

“On behalf of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the Central Oregon community, I want to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Benjamin Shelkey. This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts are with those who knew and loved him. 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.” –Sheriff van der Kamp

We thank our partners—Deschutes County 911, Mt. Bachelor National Ski Patrol, U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement, and AirLink—for their professionalism and commitment to public safety.

What Is a Snow Immersion Suffocation:

A tree well/ snow immersion suffocation accident can happen when a skier or snowboarder falls – usually headfirst – into a tree well or deep loose snow and becomes immobilized and trapped under the snow and suffocates.

In an inverted position you can become trapped under the snow. Breathing becomes difficult as the loose snow packs in around you. Without immediate help from your partner, you may suffocate.

Prevention of falling into a tree well or areas of deep snow is all-important because the odds of surviving deep snow immersion are low.

90% of people involved in Tree Well/ SIS hazard research experiments could NOT rescue themselves. If a partner is not there for immediate rescue, the skier or rider may die very quickly from suffocation – in many cases, he or she can die as quickly as someone can drown in water.