Arizona skier dies after tree collision at Park City Mountain

Skiers from Red Pine Lodge Canyons Village. Photo: TownLift

Following the death of skier Christopher Yakscoe, his family objected to Utah medical examiners' protocols that they say denied him Catholic last rites and limited his organ donations

PARK CITY, Utah — A 35-year-old Arizona man died following a skiing accident at Park City Mountain resort on March 1, with his family raising concerns about religious last rites and organ donation opportunities.

Christopher Yakscoe of Scottsdale, Arizona, formerly of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, was seriously injured Saturday when he collided with a tree on an advanced trail off Tombstone Express, according to Park City Mountain officials.

 

Similar Reads On TownLift

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Saguaros (@thesaguaros)

Park City Mountain Ski Patrol responded to the incident, and the Yakscoe was airlifted directly from the mountain by helicopter to the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City.

According to ABC4 News, Yakscoe’s family expressed concerns that the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner took his body before a Catholic priest could administer last rites.

“The biggest question why he couldn’t get last rights, why he couldn’t get sacrament of the sick, and then why all these other people were deprived of his organs,” Christopher’s aunt, Coleen Nicolosi told ABC4 News.

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services stated they cannot comment on specific cases by law, but noted they work with families to accommodate cultural or religious practices when possible.

Despite challenges with the timing, the family was able to coordinate some tissue donation through the Gift of Life Donor Program.

According to his obituary, Yakscoe was born in Philadelphia to Noreen (nee McDaniel) and Stephen Yakscoe. He is survived by his parents; siblings Stephen (Kelly), James (Liz), Nora (Adam), Eileen, and Kris Igoe; maternal grandparents, Thomas and Nora McDaniel; nephews, Theodore, Hank, and Asher; Goddaughter Claire and Godsons Thomas and James; and girlfriend, Maddie.

Yakscoe was described as “highly intelligent, kind, generous, adventurous and fun-loving” with a “larger-than-life personality” that “positively impacted everyone he met.”

He was a successful business executive who had built and sold a tech company, and volunteered for numerous charities focused on local children in need through the Scottsdale Saguaros organization.