11-year-old dies skiing at Breckenridge

By RYAN SLABAUGH
January 4, 2008

Print Email

BRECKENRIDGE - An 11-year-old boy from the United Kingdom died at the Breckenridge Medical Center Thursday after skiing too fast at Breckenridge Ski Resort, authorities said.

Benjamin Trichler from the United Kingdom crashed into a tree on the blue intermediate trail, Bonanza, on Peak 9. While Trichler was wearing a helmet, "it was not an approved ski helmet," according to Coroner Joanne Richardson. "It was a skateboard helmet," Richardson explained.

Breckenridge Ski Patrol responded immediately to an emergency call at 9:31 a.m., according to a press release from the resort's communications office.

He was pronounced dead at 10:14 a.m. at the Breckenridge Medical Clinic. The cause of death was closed-head injury, and the manner of death was ruled as accidental. According to Breckenridge Ski Resort, ski patrol provided life support and transported the patient to the Breckenridge Medical Center.

Trichler, who had been staying in the Denver area since Dec. 21, arrived in Breckenridge on Dec. 30 with his family, according to Richardson.

"Breckenridge Ski Resort, the Breckenridge Ski Patrol and the Vail Resorts family extend their deepest sympathy and support to all of his the family and friends," the resort's release said.

This was the first skier death in Summit County since March 2007, according to Richardson.