CAL FIRE: Tragic Off Duty Death At China Peak Ski Resort

 Snowboarder who died at China Peak Mountain Resort on Sunday afternoon, in what's been described by employees as a tragic snowboarding accident, has been identified as Kynan Stanners, 30.

Kynan Stanners 

Employees say Stanners, who had worked as a firefighter for CALFIRE for the past seven years, was alone when he went head first into about five feet of snow in an area known as "The Face." He had been going to resort for several years, was a season pass holder, and considered an expert snowboarder, resort employees said.

"Actually skied or snowboarded here for many years. And in particular, that general area many times yesterday and in the past," said Rich Bailey, Mountain Manager.

Employees say Stanners somehow got separated from a friend, fell head-first into the snow at around 2pm Sunday, and likely suffocated to death. Two expert skiers noticed the bottom of his snowboard, got him out of the snow and started to perform CPR, they added. Crews brought him down the mountain. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him, but it was too late, they said.

Stanners was most recently stationed out of the Caruthers fire station in Fresno County, employees said. 

Stanners' death is the second at China Peak in the past 15 months. Eli Shelby, 29, died in late 2010 after falling into a tree well.

Flags At Half Staff: To honor him, flags were lowered to half staff Monday outside several valley fire stations.

Memorial Services: Being Planned For Next Monday 1pm Mariposa Fairgrounds

More info and video from CBS 47: http://www.cbs47.tv/news/local/story/Snowboarder-Dies-at-China-Peak/2fXqF7dlR0Kn7CRlzldu4w.cspx
California Fire News 2011 

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