Coroner Says Kennedy Died Instantly

A S P E N, Jan. 4 -- An autopsy report released Sunday says the fatalinjuries Michael Kennedy suffered when he hit a tree while skiingNew Year’s Eve in Colorado were instantaneous and incapacitating.

It also said that two sets of drug tests found no trace ofalcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates, marijuana, cocaine or opium inKennedy’s system.

The coroner who performed the autopsy said the 39-year-oldKennedy fractured his skull and cervical vertebrae and severed hisspinal cord when he hit the tree.

Deputy coroner Tom Walsh said even if Kennedy had survived thehead-on crash he would have been paralyzed from the shoulders down.

Walsh said a helmet might have helped Kennedy survive theimpact, but it would not have protected him from the spinal andneck injuries suffered in the crash.

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