Ex-ABC Newsman John McWethy Dies

Feb. 6, 2008 — -- John McWethy, a longtime national security correspondent -- who, ABC News president David Westin said, "represented the very best of ABC News" -- has died at age 60 after a skiing accident in Keystone, Colo.

McWethy died of blunt force chest injuries after witnesses said he missed a turn on an intermediate trail this morning, and slid chest-first into a tree, Summit County, Colo., coroner Joanne Richardson told The Associated Press. McWethy was pronounced dead at 2:05 p.m., Richardson said.

McWethy had recently moved to Boulder, Colo., with his wife Laurie Duncan-McWethy to enjoy retirement close to ski slopes and golf courses, Westin said in a statement to ABC News staff.

"He was doing something that he truly loved, but he deserved many more years doing it than he was given," Westin said.

"He was one of those very rare reporters who knew his beat better than anyone, and had developed more sources than anyone, and yet, kept his objectivity," Westin added. "Jack's work made the people he covered value him, respect him, and always know that he would keep them honest. None of us will forget his memorable reporting on Sept. 11, 2001, when he had to evacuate the Pentagon, and then continued to report live from the lawn nearby.

"I wish all of you could have been there for his 'retirement' party to see the highest levels of the Pentagon — civilian and military — come to express their respect and affection for Jack," Westin said. "But as fine a reporter as he was, he was just that fine a man. There was an essential goodness to him that permeated everything he did. He loved his profession, but he loved his family more. And he always had a powerful sense of need to help those around him."

To read more of Westin's statement, click HERE.

McWethy and his wife had two children, Adam and Ian.

Before his retirement, McWethy was ABC News' chief national security correspondent, a position he held starting in1984.

McWethy reported on military and diplomatic aspects of U.S. foreign policy, primarily from the Pentagon in Washington. In addition to his daily coverage for "World News Tonight With Peter Jennings," he also filed stories for "Nightline," "Good Morning America" and other ABC News broadcasts.