Officials confirmed that a Salt Lake City transplant surgeon died after he was involved in a skiing accident at Solitude Mountain Resort.

Dr. Andrew Gagnon (38), of Cottonwood Heights was skiing on expert-level terrain with his wife. However, he fell off a 100-foot (30 meter) cliff on Thursday, according to the Unified Police Department. Witnesses on a chair lift saw him go off the cliff, KSL-TV reported.

Gagnon tumbled down another steep slope, into rocks and trees, for 500 to 600 feet (152 – 183 meters). According to the ski resort, he was wearing a helmet.

Rescue teams attempted to save Gagnon’s life, but he was declared dead by authorities at 12:40 p.m.

Intermountain Healthcare’s Gagnon and Canyon Surgical Associates’ colleagues said that Gagnon was an outdoor enthusiast who cared for his patients, family and caregivers.

The statement stated that Dr. Gagnon was a surgeon who helped to grow the Intermountain Healthcare Transplant Services program, saving hundreds of lives.

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