An autopsy has now been completed for the Georgia man, who died during a skiing incident at Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington on February 4th.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Sikirica conducted the autopsy at Glens Falls Hospital and determined the cause of 44-year-old Michael Vacek Junior’s death to be blunt force trauma to the chest. Officials say the manner of death is still pending the results of toxicology testing.
The 44-year-old Atlanta man had been reported missing around 10 a.m. by friends after failing to return while skiing. Whiteface Mountain Ski Patrol located him in the tree line along the Upper/Lower Skyward Trail. Life-saving efforts by ski patrol and local fire and rescue personnel were unsuccessful, and Vacek was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Essex County Coroner responded and transported the body to Glens Falls Hospital for the autopsy.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
