BEND, Ore. – A 34-year-old Seattle man tragically died Monday afternoon after being found headfirst and trapped in a tree well on Mt. Bachelor. The man, identified as Benjamin Shelkey, was pronounced dead following rescue efforts, authorities confirmed.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office reported that emergency services were dispatched to the scene at 3:04 p.m. Monday after receiving an SOS text message via satellite, which reported a “trapped and injured person in steep terrain.” The GPS coordinates provided by the text placed the incident on the west side of Mt. Bachelor.
Within minutes of the distress call, the Deschutes County 911 dispatchers sent a team of responders, including Mt. Bachelor National Ski Patrol, AirLink, sheriff’s deputies, and search and rescue teams. Dispatchers were in continuous contact with the individual who sent the SOS message, providing CPR and life-saving instructions until help arrived.
Upon reaching the location, rescuers found Shelkey trapped in the tree well, a dangerous phenomenon commonly found in deep snow. According to authorities, bystanders worked tirelessly for approximately 15 to 20 minutes to free Shelkey from the snow before starting CPR. Ski patrollers then took over patient care and transported him to the Mt. Bachelor Clinic. Despite their efforts, Shelkey was later pronounced dead.
While the exact cause of death has not yet been officially determined, officials said the circumstances are consistent with snow immersion suffocation, a condition that can occur when a skier or snowboarder becomes trapped in deep, loose snow.
Sheriff Kent van der Kamp expressed his condolences, stating, “On behalf of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the Central Oregon community, I want to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Benjamin Shelkey. This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts are with those who knew and loved him.”
The incident has drawn attention to the risks associated with outdoor winter recreation, especially in areas prone to deep snow and tree wells. “Tragedies like this remind us of the risks of outdoor recreation,” Sheriff van der Kamp added. “We encourage everyone to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions when venturing into deep snow conditions.”
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office thanked various partner agencies for their quick response, including Deschutes County 911, Mt. Bachelor National Ski Patrol, U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement, and AirLink.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident, as they work to provide more details surrounding the tragic event.
