GEORGETOWN, Colo. – A Loveland Ski Area employee died in an accident while working Thursday morning, the ski area said Friday.
The ski area said that its ski patrol was in the area when the accident happened around 11 a.m. Thursday and responded immediately.
The family identified the victim on Friday as Adam Lee; the Clear Creek County Coroner confirmed his identity and said he was 40-years-old. He worked at the resort doing lift maintenance after returning to his native state of Colorado from Michigan with his wife and kids.
Lee’s sister told Denver7 Lee was killed while working on one of the kid lifts known as the Magic Carpet. Marketing Director John Sellers said the circumstances of the accident were under investigation.
For the moment, the concern is for his family. A YouCaring account was established on his behalf.
“I just want his babies taken care of. I don’t want them to have to struggle. It's enough to lose their father. I don't want them to have to struggle anymore,” said Amanda Lee, the victim’s sister.
Local law enforcement authorities haven’t yet released further information. The Clear Creek County Coroner's Office said an autopsy was scheduled for Saturday.
Adam Lee's wife, Erika Lee, said that she was frustrated at the lack of answers about what happened to her husband.
"I asked that question five times and every single time I was told it was a freak accident. They didn't say," said Erkia Lee, who said the family was already living paycheck to paycheck and is now trying to figure out how to pay for funeral expenses. "I drained my savings, and I went back and forth yesterday between crying and going, 'What am I going to do? What am I going to do?'"
A Loveland Ski Area spokesman told Denver7 the Clear Creek County Sheriff was handling the investigation, and that the Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board and Occupational Safety and Health Administration were also investigating, but did not release further information.
“Loveland Ski Area extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends affected by this tragic event,” Sellers said in a statement to Denver7.
Lee died from crushing chest injuries due to an accident, according to the coroner's report.
