BEND, OR -- An Oregon City man was killed at Mt. Bachelor, Friday afternoon, when he fell into a tree well while skiing. Friends of 53-year-old Kenneth Brundidge notified Ski Patrol that he’d become separated from the group, prompting a search effort. 

He was an experienced skier and was found at about 3 p.m., just west of the Sparks Lake Run, which is an experts-only area off the Northwest chairlift. Brundidge was unresponsive when he was found in the tree well by another skier who flagged down Ski Patrol. The Sheriff's Office says Ski Patrol immediately performed CPR but resuscitation efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. 

A "tree well" is a void or area of loose snow around the trunk of a tree, which can be hidden from view by low-hanging branches. Visit DeepSnowSafety.com for more information. "All of us at Mt. Bachelor are heartbroken by the loss felt at the mountain today," Mt. Bachelor President John McLeod said in a statement, "Our deepest condolences go out to the affected families and friends. 

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office encourages skiers and snowboarders to use extreme caution in deep snow and ungroomed terrain, and to maintain sight of companions at all times.