Deputies Search For Man Who Injured Skier In Aspen
ASPEN, Colo. (CBS4)- Pitkin County Sheriff's deputies are searching for the man who ran into another skier on the slopes of Aspen Highlands Ski Area and then disappeared.
Larry Niles was the last person in his group coming down the mountain two and a half weeks ago in the Meadows area. That's when someone lost control and ran into him. That person skied away.
Niles, 77, was rushed to the Aspen Valley Hospital emergency room where he had a punctured lung and six broken ribs. Doctors also found blood clots in his chest.
He was taken by air to St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction.
Niles' family said he cannot feel the right side of his body and he cannot walk or speak.
"He was down and we didn't even focus on anything else other than he was down and we didn't even look to see who else was taking off," said Niles' wife Lily Niles. "So three of us hiked back up to where he was and by that time other people were already attending to him and he was unconscious. He wasn't responding to our questions."
Niles' condition is slowly starting to improve.
The Pitkin County Sheriff's Office is looking for the man who struck Niles. The limited description is that he was wearing a blue ski jacket, a blue hat and possibly black pants. You are asked to call them at (970) 920-5300 if you have information that might be helpful to their case.
