US Snowboarder Who Fell From Chairlift Dies of His Injuries
10th May 2025
Last modified on May 16th, 2025
32-year-old father of two, Donovan Romero, fell from a lift in Keystone in Colorado last December. The lift had a safety bar, but it had not been lowered. There are further calls to make their use compulsory.
The accident happened on December 11th 2024 and Donovan Romero fell almost 20m to the ground from the Ruby Express chairlift sustaining fatal injuries.
He was wearing a helmet at the time.
Mr Romero was taken to St. Anthony Hospital in nearby Lakewood.
Earlier this month he passed away at home with his mother, Tonette, by his side, 9News reports.
He had been released from hospital and was receiving hospice care.
“Keystone Resort and the entire Vail Resorts family extend our deepest sympathy and support to our guest’s family and friends,” said Keystone Resort vice president and general manager Shannon Buhler, in a statement.
“Based on the initial investigation and witness statement, the incident does not appear to have been caused by any lift malfunction and further investigation is not warranted at this time,” said Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board who carried out an immediate investigation.
Reports says he was adjusting his bindings at the time but his mother disputes the claim and has called for the mandatory use of safety bars.
On a GoFundMe page that is raising money for her son’s funeral and medical expenses she argued for stricter safety bar rules.
“No other industry that transports people at height—whether it’s aviation, amusement parks, or public transit—would allow such a critical safety measure to go unregulated,” she said.
“Imagine an airline making seatbelt use optional, or a rollercoaster ride where harnesses are left to personal choice.”
“When a safety feature exists but is not required, it sends the message that convenience outweighs caution.
“That mindset has already cost lives, and it will again unless change is made.”
A 2023 study found that on chairlifts just carrying adults in the Rocky Mountain region, where Keystone Resort is located, safety bars were used only 36% of the time.
This rises to 84% when children are on a lift.
Since 1973, 14 skiers have died in falls from chairlifts in the USA including six people who fell due to medical emergencies.
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