GOVERNMENT CAMP -- Authorities were still hoping to interview an unidentified snowboarder seen leaving the scene where a Portland skier was killed Friday after a collision on a trail at Mt. Hood Meadows.

Geoff Bradeen, 45, died Friday at Mt. Hood Meadows from head trauma after a collision with a snowboarder.

Hood River County deputies said 45-year-old Geoffry Scott Bradeen of Portland died after a collision around 9:45 a.m. Friday.

No witnesses to the collision have been found but Hood River deputies believe Bradeen may have fallen while skiing on the North Canyon run and they believe he was hit in the head, probably by a snowboarder, while trying to get up. 

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An assistant medical examiner on scene determined the head injuries to be the cause of Bradeen’s death. Bradeen was not wearing a helmet.

Family members described Bradeen as a "ski bum", a seasons pass holder who would hit the slopes two to three times per week.

"I honestly have not seen a situation like this in 20 years," said Mt. Hood Meadows General Manager Dave Riley, "where there was a fatality and one of the people left the scene."

Witnesses described an unidentified snowboarder at the scene who said he was going to get help. Hood River County Deputies were hoping to locate and interview the snowboarder. Deputies were not investigating the case as a criminal matter.

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The family of Geoffry Bradeen released a statement Friday evening that read, in part: "If there was any place Geoff could have been for his last days, the mountain was it. If Geoff could say one last thing, it would be: 'I ski, therefore I am'."

YOUR TURN: Should helmets be required at ski areas?

KGW Reporter Scott Burton contributed to this report.