Ski Fatality at Mt. Bachelor
A skier at Mt. Bachelor was pronounced dead on March 17 after being buried in a tree well. Around 3pm, an individual at the resort reported a “trapped and injured person in steep terrain,” according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.
DCSO identified the deceased as 34-year-old Benjamin Shelkey from Seattle, Washington. DCSO 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, according to a press release. While the official cause of death has not yet been determined, the circumstances are consistent with snow immersion suffocation.
“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,” read a statement from Sheriff Kent van der Kamp. “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.”
—Julianna LaFollette
1 billion —The number of birds killed annually by collisions with residential windows and large buildings, from the Natural World story, “Climate’s Toll: Birds on the Brink“
“Recent studies indicate that a longer hug has even more benefit to the huggers: Five- to 10-second hugs have deeper positive ripples through our psyche and our physiology.” —Joshua Phillips, ND, from his column, “The Medicine Cabinet Within: Human Touch“
This article appears in The Source Weekly March 20, 2025.
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