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The cause of death has been determined for a Georgia man who died in a skiing incident at Whiteface Mountain in New York earlier this month.
Michael E. Vacek Jr., 44, of Atlanta, Georgia, died from accidental blunt force trauma after he was found in the treeline along the Upper/Lower Skyward Trail at the popular ski resort, according to medical examiners.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 5, when Vacek was reported missing by friends he was skiing with after he failed to return while out on the mountain. Whiteface Mountain Ski Patrol was notified of his disappearance at approximately 10:00 a.m.
"Ski Patrol launched a search and located Vacek in the tree line along the Upper and Lower Skyward Trail," reported the Finger Lakes Daily News. He was transported to the resort's medical building where life-saving measures were continued by responding local fire and rescue departments.
Despite these efforts, Vacek was pronounced dead at the scene. New York State Police responded to the incident at approximately 1:03 p.m.
The Essex County Coroner ordered Vacek's body transported to Glens Falls Hospital, where an autopsy was scheduled for Friday. Unofficial Networks, a skiing news outlet, reported that the investigation into the cause of death was ongoing at that time.
Whiteface Mountain, located in Wilmington, New York, is one of the premier ski destinations in the Northeast, known for its challenging terrain and Olympic history.