Mass. Teen Dead After Nighttime Sledding Trip

PINKHAM NOTCH, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire officials say an 18-year-old Massachusetts man has died after he and friends went on a midnight sledding excursion at Wildcat Mountain ski area.

Searchers found the body of Joseph Murad of Hanson, Mass., at about 8 a.m. Friday in the woods off the side of one of the ski trails a half mile below the summit.

Fish and Game conservation officers say two friends reported him missing at 3:30 in the morning, after their search for him failed.

Authorities say they believe injuries sustained when his sled crashed were the major cause of Murad's death.

Fish and Game officials stress that Wildcat was closed at the time the trio hiked to the summit, and that sledding is not allowed on ski trails even when the mountain is operating.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.