Former Network Reporter (John McWethy) Killed in Skiing Accident

My Fox.com ^ | 02.06.08

[Perdogg]

Former ABC News correspondent John McWethy was killed when he skied into a tree at Keystone Resort Wednesday, the Summit County Coroner confirmed.

McWethy, 61, was skiing on an intermediate trail when the accident occurred. Witnesses said he missed a turn and slid chest-first into the tree shortly after 10 a.m

[Perdogg]

He was a tall dude. I saw him at the Pentagon after 9-11.

[dinoparty]

Skiing into a tree and dying as a result seems to be a common event, both for celebrities and personal acquaintances.

BTW, why is he a “former” reporter? Did he retire early?

[Orange1998]

http://www.charlierose.com/keywords/john-mcwethy

[Semper911]

[Bobalu]

[Bahbah]

This skiing into tree thing seems to be quite prevalent. I used to ski lots and was pretty adventurous, but I always had an eye out for the trees and the big cliffs (I knew how to fall down when necessary). I do not understand how this happens with anyone with a modicum of experience.

[Theodore R.]

This is exactly what happened to Sonny Bono about this time of the year nine years ago, isn’t it?

[Bobalu]

we found the same pic :-)

[nascarnation]

I assume President O’Bammy will direct the CPSC to mandate air bags on all trees in ski resorts.......

[vladimir998]

He retired from ABC not too long ago. He was recently working as an advisor to the war college in Leavenworth, Kansas. Media relations perhaps?

[JustaDumbBlonde]

At least he was doing something he loved (just prior to hitting the tree anyway).

[Semper911]

Beatcha...

[bubbacluck]

I often wonder how I never was killed hitting a tree whilst skiing in my youth. A friend of mine hit a tree at 60 MPH and literally came out of his boots. He was in the hospital for a year. Dangerous stuff. I hope Mr. McWethy didn’t suffer.

[alarm rider]

Perhaps “*Death Cookies”. I have run in to them a few times when skiing out West.

*Death Cookies- (For you non skiers)can be described as ice nodules buried in the snow. Snow melts from tree branches, sometimes very high growing branches that overhand trails. When night comes, the drippings freeze and form caps of ice that if hit, can cause a skier to lose balance and hit the trees before he/she can recover balance.

I don’t know for sure, but this is a possibility.

[ErnBatavia]

Yep - ‘Zackly.....and one of the Kennedy Clan also.

[Jemian]

BTW, why is he a “former” reporter?

Well, he is dead.

[Bahbah]

Hmmm, that’s interesting and sounds plausible. I never ran across anything like that, for which I am grateful.

[RichardW]

Good grief!! It does seem this is a most dangerous sport.

[Enchante]

"This skiing into tree thing seems to be quite prevalent"

Not really prevalent, just highly publicized every now and then, especially since the egregious case of Michael Kennedy ignoring Aspen Ski Patrol warnings and hitting a tree at high speed while playing "ski football"

Out of around 55 million skier days annually there are a few dozen fatalities from hitting a tree or other immovable object such as a lift tower etc. So I wouldn't say that ratio indicates the problem is "quite prevalent" but rather extremely rare on a statistical basis. There are many more dangerous activities, although of course one can increase or decrease one's risks while skiing depending upon how and where one skis, at what speeds, etc.