Sydney Elizabeth Owens Killed Skiing Silverton Mountain (UPDATE)

UPDATE: Denver Woman Dies Skiing Silverton Mountain

A Denver resident was killed at Silverton Mountain Saturday, January 14th, in a skiing accident.

The Durango Herald reports 25 year-old Sydney Elizabeth Owens was skiing the "Riff" run with a guide when she fell and slid 1,500 feet down the mountain.

UPDATE:

The Durango Herald believes Owens' ski equipment may have malfunctioned, leading to her uncontrolled fall. San Juan County Coroner Keri Metzler told the paper she may have unintentionally been ejected from a ski binding, after which she was unable to stop.

EARLIER:

Regarding the incident, a statement on Silverton Mountain's Facebook page explains:

It has been a hard couple of days and as most of you have heard on January 14th Sydney Owens, a 25 year old female from Denver slid down the Riff run at Silverton Mountain and suffered fatal injuries. Riff is a lift served expert slope near the chairlift. Patrol and emergency personnel quickly responded and resuscitative efforts were undertaken without success. Ms. Owens was then transported to a waiting ambulance. Everyone at Silverton Mountain would like to extend their thoughts, prayers, and condolences to Ms. Owen's family and friends.

The accident happened shortly after 10 a.m. during her first run of the day, according to KDVR.

Silverton Mountain focuses exclusively on extreme, expert-only, skiing and snowboarding. Skiers must sign waivers and carry avalanche gear, including a beacon, shovel, and probe before they are allowed on the mountain.

WATCH a helmet-cam video of someone skiing the Riff run:

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