Fatality reported at Heavenly Mountain Resort

One person has died and another was injured in an incident at Heavenly Mountain Resort this afternoon, authorities said.

About 1:50 p.m., a man visiting the resort fell from the Tamarack Express chairlift, Heavenly spokesman Russ Pecoraro said in a press statement. Heavenly ski patrol personnel in the area responded immediately, Pecoraro said.

Ski patrol gave medical aid to the man and transported him to Heavenly's California lodge, where he was pronounced dead about 3:15 p.m.

Heavenly is still investigating what caused the fall. Pecoraro said the return line on the Heavenly Flyer ZipRider came in contact with the Tamarack lift. The Flyer was operating within its allowable wind conditions, Pecoraro said, but further details were not immediately available as the investigation continued.

Another person suffered minor injuries as a result of the incident and was treated by South Lake Tahoe paramedics and transported to Barton Memorial Hospital.

Four other guests on the lift at the time were evacuated.

According to El Dorado County Sheriff's Lt. Les Lovell, South Lake Tahoe Police/Fire Dispatch received notice of a medical emergency at Heavenly about 2:08 p.m.

Initial information indicated an adult male and adult female were riding the Tamarack Express Chair down the mountain when both fell.

The man was pronounced dead at Heavenly's California Lodge first aid station, Lovell said.

Lovell said the sheriff's office is investigating the incident and all indications at this time are that the event was an accident.

Names of the victims were being withheld pending notification of next of kin.