Thredbo (NSW), Australia – The second snowboarder to die in Australia this week crashed into a tree today at Thredbo, authorities have indicated.

The unidentified male victim, said to be an experienced 28-year-old snowboarder from Sydney, was riding near the top of Thredbo’s Supertrail run when he reportedly lost control and slammed into a tree just before noon on Friday, according to the NSW Police.  The Thredbo Ski Patrol responded to the incident and transported the injured man to a local medical center where he died a short time later.

The incident was reportedly witnessed by both one of the victim’s companions and a lift operator who have indicated that the man was snowboarding at a high rate of speed. Police have secured a crime scene at the location, which will be examined by specialist forensics officers. Local detectives are conducting inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

A report will be prepared for the information of the NSW Coroner.

“We are all saddened by the tragic accident that resulted in the death of an adult snowboarder at Thredbo today,” ski area officials said in a prepared statement. “The fatality is a matter of a coronial enquiry. We express our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”

Friday’s incident at Thredbo marks the second such fatality in Australia this week. On Tuesday a Melbourne area snowboarder collided with a tree and died at Mt. Hotham.