California snowboarder dies after hitting tree

TRUCKEE - A 37-year-old snowboarder from Meridian, Calif., died at Northstar-at-Tahoe Wednesday morning after hitting a tree.

Stuart Skelton hit the tree while headed down Powder Bowl, an intermediate run on the ski area's front side, according to the Placer County Sheriff's Department.

Northstar-at-Tahoe spokeswoman Erin Bernall said the ski patrol was called at 9:48 a.m., and they arrived at 9:52 a.m. and immediately began administering CPR.

A nurse pronounced Skelton dead at the scene at 10:25 a.m.

Placer County deputies is handling the investigation. The exact cause of death is pending autopsy results.

There were no witnesses to the accident, Bernall said. The snowboarder was not wearing a helmet.