Investigators said, “Unfortunately, the necessary speed and distance were not sufficient.''
A 21-year-old man died after attempting a “dangerous ski stunt” by jumping over the width of a Colorado highway, authorities said.
The incident occurred around 3 p.m. Tuesday when the Grand County Communications Center in Colorado received a 911 call about a skiing accident on Highway 40 just west of the summit of Berthoud Pass, where a 21-year-old male skier was found. This occurred when a report was received. He was unconscious and not breathing,'' according to a statement released Wednesday by the Grand County Sheriff's Office.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that the victim was attempting to perform a dangerous ski stunt in an attempt to cross the width of Highway 40, but unfortunately did not have the required speed or distance, and then crashed onto the highway's pavement,” authorities said. It turned out that it had landed,” he said. “The victim was wearing protective equipment such as a helmet.”
Authorities began CPR on the man, but were unable to revive him.
According to the Grand County Sheriff's Office, “paramedics arrived on scene and determined the male subject was deceased and the Grand County Coroner's Office was notified to respond to the scene.”
Police said the incident impacted traffic in both directions on Highway 40 while investigators processed the scene and maintained the victim's privacy.
The Grand County Coroner's Office will now assume primary jurisdiction over the case and will release the victim's identity, cause of death and cause of death “when appropriate,” officials said.
The investigation into this accident is currently ongoing.