Lead, SD – A 24-year-old novice skier died following a crash on Saturday in which she collided with a ski lift tower at Terry Peak in western South Dakota’s Black Hills.

Authorities indicate that Tina Heilman, who was employed as a nurse in Sioux Falls, S.D., crashed into the fifth tower of the resort’s Stewart Lift at about 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. She died at Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital of head injuries sustained in the collision. She was reportedly not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends,” said Tom Marsing, President and General Manager of the ski area.

The incident involving Heilman is the first accidental skier death at Terry Peak since 15 years ago when another skier also collided with a lift tower at the resort. Separately this weekend, however, a 46-year-old man was found slumped over in the resort’s Nevada Gulch Day Lodge early Sunday afternoon and died at the scene.

The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office is investigating both incidents.