His time ran out ... extreme skier dies in cliff jump

Billy Poole, 28, an up-and-coming star in the big-mountain ski community of those who push the limits, died yesterday after jumping a cliff in Utah, landing on the rocks below, causing fatal injuries.

[Poole] recently told the Web site Big Lines about escaping an avalanche while in a helicopter last winter with other skiers and a film crew in British Columbia.

"Not to be dramatic, but there is no reason we should have made it home at all that day. ... I now know that any one of my friends could be gone in an instant and it has made me very thankful for the time I have with them," Poole said.

His time ran out early....