Mt. Hood skiing accident proves fatal

PORTLAND, Ore. – A Mount Hood skier died over the weekend, an inside source tells us Monday.

The skiing accident happened Sunday, around 11 a.m., around the Mount Hood Meadows area. One skier was killed and a second skier may have suffered major injuries. However, those injuries have yet to be confirmed.

On Monday afternoon the Hood River County Sheriff's Office identified the skier who died as 41-year-old William James Cannard of Oregon City. Cannard's wife and young children were at the resort but were not skiing with him at the time of the fall. 

"At around 10:45 a.m., Cannard fell while skiing on steep terrain in the area of Memorial Bowl," the Hood River County Sheriff's Office reports. "This area is classified as a double black diamond run."

Cannard hit his head when he slammed into a tree, causing head injuries that appear to have been the cause of his death. He was not wearing such head protection as a helmet, authorities say.

A spokesperson for Mount Hood Meadows says ski patrollers arrived within minutes of receiving the report. However, we do not know how long it was before a report could be made.

"Efforts to revive him on scene were unsuccessful," reports the Hood River County Sheriff's Office.

The accident was witnessed by other patrons at the Mount Hood Meadows resort.