NEWRY — An 18-year-old man died while sledding early Wednesday on the Tempest ski trail at Sunday River Ski Resort, according to the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office.

The dead man has been identified as David Kohlhase, a student at Portsmouth High School.

Kohlase’s 17-year-old companion and schoolmate, Max Malila, was seriously injured and transported to a nearby medical facility.

The sheriff’s office said the two students were riding an inflatable, tube-style sled together when it struck a tree.

Darcy Lambert, director of communications for the resort,  said 911 was called at about 2 a.m. The Oxford County Sheriff’s Office and Bethel and Newry fire departments responded to the call.

The Tempest ski trail is steeper than most trails, and is on the mountain’s White Cap basin and accessible via lift No. 9.

Upper Tempest trail is rated as a “black diamond” trail, for experienced skiers, and Lower Tempest is rated as a “blue” trail, for intermediate skiers.

Lambert said the resort’s policy is that they do not allow sledding on their ski trails, and the mountain was closed at the time of the incident.

“It is my understanding that (the individuals) walked to the trail,” Lambert said.

Mary Lyons, principal at Portsmouth High School, said she has sent a letter to school families Wednesday morning informing them of the accident.

The principal described Kohlhase as a “beloved member of our school community.”

emarquis@sunmediagroup.net

The Tempest ski trail is on the mountain’s White Cap basin and accessible via lift No. 9. This image shows a portion of the Sunday River trail map. (Sunday River map)