BRIGHTON, Utah, Jan. 16, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — A GoFundMe page has been set up for a skier who was in very critical condition Sunday after apparently striking a tree at Brighton Ski Resort, and has since died.
Markus Erich Fritz, 35, from Millcreek, was flown from the mountain in Big Cottonwood Canyon in a Life Flight helicopter just before noon, said Unified Fire Department spokesman Eric Holmes. No one witnessed the accident, but Holmes said due to facial swelling, it is thought Fritz hit a tree.
Fritz passed away later Sunday. The page set up to assist with his funeral and memorial costs aims to raise $10,000, and $2,4000 had been raised by 4:45 p.m. Monday.
The page said: “Our beloved Father, son, brother, and friend Markus Erich Fritz or known by most people as ‘Fritz’ tragically passed away yesterday due to injuries from a snowboarding accident at Brighton Ski Resort.
“Fritz was the father of two boys, Jeramy and Ryder. He loved his kids, snowboarding, boating, and being surrounded by all the people he loved.
“Fritz was loved by many people and we would all like to be able to give him the best farewell.
“Please help the Fritz family by donating to his funeral and memorial costs. Anything helps.
If you can not help in that way, please say a little prayer for him, his friends and family.
Please share!!”
UFD spokesman Holmes said the man’s helmet was found by a skier near a main run, and then skiers looked around the area and found the Fritz near a tree.
It is thought the skier was within bounds, Holmes said.
Fritz was unconscious when found. It’s not known how long he had been there or whether he had regained consciousness after the accident and then lost it again. He was unconscious when he was flown to the hospital.
Unified Police Department said in a tweet that Fritz was skiing with a friend, but the friend did not witness the accident.
Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information becomes available.
