NEWRY — Resort officials say a skier died in an accident on an expert trail at the Sunday River ski area.

Benjamin Taylor, 35, of Bethel fell and went off the double black diamond Black Hole trail and into the trees at about 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Taylor was an employee of Sunday River, according to an email from Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland.

He was wearing a helmet and was with friends. 

Spokeswoman Sarah Devlin said in a news release that Taylor was treated on scene by ski patrol, and was later pronounced dead by ambulance personnel.

The snow conditions on the Black Hole trail were described as “machine-groomed” and “variable” at the time of the accident, Devlin said.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family,” said Dana Bullen, president and general manager of Sunday River. “It is not easy to share news like this. We are deeply saddened to lose a team member and it affects us all here.”  

The death remains under investigation.

A remembrance website has been set up for Taylor, which can be viewed here.