White Pass skier dies of apparent heart attack

Published 8:38 am Monday, April 6, 2009

PACKWOOD — A cross-country skier from Ridgefield has been found dead at White Pass, apparently of a heart attack.

Interim Yakima County Coroner Jack Hawkins said 59-year-old Mark E. Freeman went cross-country skiing Sunday while some friends were downhill skiing. When Freeman failed to return, his friends went looking and found him unconscious about a mile north of the White Pass Ski Area lodge.

Hawkins says Freeman could not be revived, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. His death is believed to be from a heart attack.

Sheriff’s deputies say Freeman was an avid outdoor recreation enthusiast.