One of the top names in the sport of extreme skiing was killed while filming a jump near the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon Tuesday.

Billy Poole was taken to University Hospital in extremely critical condition about 12:30 p.m. after attempting a jump and hitting rocks, said Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Paul Jaroscak. A hospital spokesman confirmed he died at 1:30 p.m.

To view a video of Poole go to: view YouTube video of Billy Poole

Originally, the sheriff's office was notified of a skier injured in what appeared to be an avalanche.

Jaroscak did not know Tuesday afternoon from how far Poole jumped. The accident happened in the backcountry between Brighton and Solitude Ski resorts. The film crew Poole was with actually skied into Little Cottonwood Canyon after reaching their injured companion.

A medical helicopter transported Poole to the hospital.

Poole was known for his long jumps. His bio on skibd.com says the Montana native, who lived in Alta, Utah, was the first person to jump over the telephone wires at Cardiff Pass.

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