N.J. skier dies on Colorado ski lift; investigation underway, reports say

VAIL, Colo. -- A New Jersey man perished Thursday while on a ski lift at Vail Mountain in Vail, Colo., authorities say, in what appears to be an accidental death.

The Vail Daily, a Colorado-based media outlet, reported the Short Hills, N.J., resident died after he slipped through the seat of a Skyline Express lift at the Blue Sky Basin section of the Vail Ski Resort, “and his ski coat got caught up in the chair." The coat wrapped around his head and neck area, "putting his neck in a position that compromised his airway,” according to Eagle County Coroner Kara Bettis.

The victim was identified as 46-year-old Jason Varnish.

According to the report, the coroner, citing witnesses, said the chairlift’s folding seat was in the upright position instead of being folded down so riders could sit on it, leaving an open area which one could fall through if they did not notice the seat was not in place.

“Vail Mountain and the entire Vail Resorts family express our sincere condolences and extend our support to the guest’s family and friends,” Beth Howard, the resort’s chief operating officer, said in the statement, according to our sister site, NJ.com.

“We take all incidents seriously and are conducting a full investigation,” the resort said. “The lift has been thoroughly inspected and is operating normally.”

Vail is approximately 50 miles west of Denver.

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