5-year-old skier who died in collision was wearing helmet
- Details
- Created on Monday, 27 December 2010 22:24
- Written by Dena Rosenberry
The Associated Press
CASPER, Wyo. - A Wyoming coroner says a 5-year-old skier who died in a collision with a snowboarder was wearing a helmet, contrary to officials' earlier reports.
Natrona County Coroner Connie Jacobson says the girl, Elise Johnson, and 23-year-old Craig Shirley died of internal injuries from blunt force trauma. (Another report states Shirley's age as 22.)
Witnesses have said Shirley was snowboarding at high speed Friday at Hogadon Ski Area when he collided with Elise and her mother, identified by the Casper Star-Tribune newspaper as Kelli Johnson, 31. The mother and daughter had stopped in the middle of the run, which is rated as difficult. Investigators said the incident happened about three-fourths down the slope.
The coroner said Elise had skied for three years and her mother was an experienced skier.
Kelli Johnson reportedly remains hospitalized.
The circumstances of the crash are still under investigation. All three people involved in the collision - Elise and her mother as well as Craig Shirley - lived in Casper, the coroner said.
Shirley's father told the Casper Star-Tribune newspaper that the run was covered in ice.
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