Mesa County Sheriff Investigates Child Death Near Powderhorn Ski Area

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (CBS4)- The Mesa County Sheriff is investigating the death of a child and serious injuries of another near Powderhorn Mountain Resort near Grand Junction.

The children, believed to be two and four years old were inside a vehicle parked on the side of Powderhorn Road, just off Highway 65 at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday when paramedics were called.

A four-year-old boy was rushed to St. Mary's Hospital by CareFlight. A second, younger child died at the scene.

Sheriff's deputies are investigating the role of carbon monoxide in the case but would not elaborate stating that it was very early in the investigation. The Mesa County Coroner is expected to release the cause and manner of death after an autopsy has been completed.

The boy was transferred to The Children's Hospital overnight.

Deputies are also investigating why the vehicle was parked near the ski area when Powderhorn isn't scheduled to open until Dec. 13.

Powderhorn Mountain Resort is 40 miles northeast of Grand Junction and 230 miles west of Denver.

The identities of the children have not been released.