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Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2000
Skier dies walking down in fog
By CAMERON MAXWELL -- CALGARY SUN
A Saskatoon man who died trying to walk down a ski hill had just asked his girlfriend to marry him.
Chris Acton-Harris, 27, died Dec. 31 when he hit his head on a tree after he slipped while walking down a ski hill through thick fog at Fernie Alpine Resort in Fernie, B.C.
"They were just engaged and she was with him when he died," said Acton-Harris' uncle Bob Spier of the couple, who decided they would tie the knot about a month ago.
Acton-Harris, originally from Ludlow, England, was studying for a Masters in audio visual technology at the University of Saskatchewan.
Acton-Harris, his fiancee, and some other friends were on an expert run on the mountain when the heavy fog hit.
"They were just trying to get down and he didn't quite make it," said Spier, adding Acton-Harris was a novice skier.
Emergency personnel rushed Acton-Harris to Fernie Hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.
After five days, the family is still trying to come to grips with his death.
"We took it hard -- it was so sudden," said Spier from the family farm near Saskatoon.
Spier said Acton-Harris was an avid sportsman and was especially fond of rugby.
"He was fanatical and played for a club team in Saskatoon," said Spier.
"He was a very likable guy, big, blond, good-looking, with a great big smile -- loved by everybody."
RCMP in Fernie are still investigating.
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