Snowmobile Accident Victim’s Body Found

The body of a Pendleton man killed during a snowmobile outing was recovered Monday from a steep ravine in northeastern Oregon’s Blue Mountains.

Brad McKay, 44, died Sunday afternoon when he slipped and fell some 300 yards down a snow chute on a steep ravine known as “Hell’s Hole.”

Search and rescue teams from Umatilla and Union counties and the Anthony Lakes Ski Patrol removed the body. The effort was delayed Sunday because of concerns for the safety of the searchers.

McKay was riding a snowmobile with friends nine miles west of Elgin when he stopped at a narrow part of the trail, Union County Sheriff Steve Oliver said.

When McKay dropped his helmet, he reached to pick it up and slipped on the snow, which was covered by a thick layer of ice.