KEYSTONE, Colo. -- Former ABC News correspondent John McWethy died Wednesday after a skiing accident at Keystone Ski Resort.

McWethy, 61, was pronounced dead at Summit Medical Center in Frisco.

According to the Summit County coroner's office, McWethy was skiing fast on an intermediate trail when he missed a turn and slid chest-first into the tree.

McWethy was a correspondent for ABC News from 1979-2003, primarily working as the network's national security correspondent.

The Emmy-winning reporter covered the Pentagon beat and on Sept. 11, 2001, he evacuated the Pentagon after it was struck by a hijacked plane and continued reporting live throughout the day and evening from a nearby lawn. He also served as lead correspondent during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He retired in July 2003 but continued to serve a special correspondent to the network for three years.

He and his family moved to Boulder last year to be close to the ski slopes and golf courses.

McWethy was at least the seventh skier or snowboarder to die in Colorado this season. Two other snowboarders have been missing since Jan. 5 and are feared dead.