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Whit Johnson and Randall Jeppesen reporting A professional extreme skier who landed some of his toughest stunts here in Utah died this afternoon. Billy Poole was killed when one of his tricks went horribly wrong in the back country of Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Some of Billy's stunts were being filmed today when the accident happened. Those who were with Billy at the time said the terrain where he was killed was nothing he couldn't handle, it was just a terrible accident.
Videos of his extreme stunts can be seen all over the Internet. Cliffs, rocks and steep terrain were all part of the challenge.
Poole's friend Steve Lloyd said, "He's one of the best. I mean he's a very experienced skier."
Twenty-eight-year-old Billy Poole made his living conquering not only Utah's back country but the toughest slopes around the world. Today, however, an accident in an area called the Wolverine Bowl between Solitude and Brighton cut Billy's life short.
His friend Jeremy Nobis said, "He didn't do anything crazy or anything. It was just an error that just shows you how fragile we are."
Friends who were skiing with Billy at the time say they were in an out-of-bounds area. Billy misjudged his path and collided with a rock.
"We just tried to stabilize him until Air Med showed up. We did the best we could," Nobis said.
Lloyd said, "He was just motionless. I didn't see any movement at all, not at all."
Local Ski Patrol quickly arrived on scene and called for help. Billy, who was barely breathing, was flown by medical helicopter to University Hospital with severe injuries to his head, neck and back.
"It's just hard, hard to see your friends go down like that. It's hard to see anyone get hurt you know, but especially your friends," Lloyd said.
Friends say Billy was familiar with the area and was well equipped with survival gear. Still, it wasn't enough,and the young thrill-seeker will be sorely missed by those who knew him and those who admired his accomplishments.
Lloyd says, "It's not like he didn't know what he was doing, but sometimes things don't go right."
Officials with Black Diamond Equipment, the company that sponsors Billy Poole, and Ski Utah declined to comment on the accident today, saying they were just too emotional.
