British Columbia

Skier dies after crashing into tree on Cypress Mountain

A 50-year-old man died Saturday after striking a tree while skiing at Cypress Mountain Resort on Saturday morning, staff said.

50-year-old man died of his injuries, resort said

Cypress Mountain ski resort is pictured in West Vancouver, B.C. on Monday, March 16, 2020. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)

A 50-year-old man died after striking a tree while skiing at Cypress Mountain Resort on Saturday morning, staff said.

A release from the resort, which is about a 30-minute drive northwest of Vancouver, said witnesses saw the man lose a ski while skiing downhill, which caused him to lose control and collide with a tree on the side of a run on the upper mountain.

Patrollers rushed to the area and began CPR on the man as they brought him to the base area of the resort where paramedics took over.

B.C. Emergency Health Services said two ground ambulances and one air ambulance went to the mountain, but the man was pronounced dead at 11:30 a.m. PT.

'Tragic loss'

Const. Kevin Goodmurphy with the West Vancouver Police Department told CBC News that officers were called to the scene for a potential cardiac arrest.

"There is no further investigation that's ongoing on our end," he said. "It does appear to be a tragic accident at this point."

In a written statement, Cypress Mountain Resort President Russell Chamberlain thanked first responders for trying to save the man.

"Cypress Mountain Resort Ski Patrol, and the entire resort team extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends for their tragic loss," said the statement.