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Heart attack kills man on lift

Daily News staff report

COPPER MOUNTAIN – A senior skier died Friday while skiing at Copper Mountain, despite vigorous attempts by ski patrol and medical staff to resuscitate him.

Leadville resident Paul Arndt was reportedly chatting with visitors on the American Flyer lift when he collapsed. The 77-year-old man suffered a heart attack and suffered from athrosclerotic disease, the county coroner said. Arndt was a ski instructor and science teacher in Lake County schools.

Copper Mountain spokeswoman Jamie Wilson said ski patrol began lifesaving measures once they evacuated the man at the top of the lift. He was later transported to Colorado Mountain Medical Center at the resort’s base area, where resuscitation continued. The man was pronounced dead at 1:58 p.m.



“It’s terrible, very sad,” Wilson said.

The incident affected those riding the American Flyer at the time. The lift was stopped for some time while ski patrol attempted to revive the man.


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