The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
“He’s a lucky guy”
by Mark Reaman
A 24-year-old Gunnison man had a major crash while skiing the Sock-It-To-Me chute on Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s North Face Saturday afternoon. He was rescued by ski patrol and flown by helicopter to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, where he is being treated.
Luke Schumacher crashed into a rock at the bottom of the run while skiing with friends near the end of the day. According to his father, Mark, Luke doesn’t remember anything about the incident. Members of the ski patrol responded and immediately rendered aid. Luke was taken off the mountain and transported to Buckhorn, where he was picked up by helicopter and transported to Grand Junction.
“He is a lucky guy,” Mark Schumacher said Tuesday. “He has a fractured lower jaw but no back or head injuries. That’s it. It’s amazing really. We just wanted to dispel any rumors and let people know how lucky Luke is.”
Erica Mueller, spokeswoman for CBMR, said the resort can’t comment on accidents or injured guests. She did say, “We are extremely pleased to hear about his progress in the hospital. Thankfully, he was evacuated safely from the hill and got the hospital care he needed in a timely manner. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as he continues to heal.”
Luke is expected to be released from St. Mary’s this weekend.
