A TOP boss at Lego has died in a horror skiing accident after falling on the slopes at a popular Swiss mountain range.
Michael Halbye, 64, was airlifted to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after from internal bleeding.
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The serious skiing accident took place in the canton of Valais in Verbier as Danish native Halbye was reportedly going down a steep piste.
He is believed to have lost his balance and started to fall down the slope at speed at the Col de Chassoure region of the Verbier ski resort.
Doctors said he died from internal bleeding on Saturday.
Halbye was the vice chairman of Danish brand Kirkbi who are the investment company who owns a majority stake in the Lego family.
His death was announced by chairman of Kirkbi, Thomas Kirk Kristiansen.
He said: “It is with great sadness that we received the news of Michael’s sudden passing.
“Our thoughts and care go to Michael’s family and loved ones, who are now faced with having to process the unexpected loss of a man who, in all facets of life, has left a great and positive impression on those around him.
“We will miss Michael as Vice Chairman but first and foremost as a person. May his memory be honoured.”
Halbye was also a close friend to the Danish Royal Family.
For years, he had worked with Queen Mary, 53, in helping to create the Queen‘s “Mary Foundation”.
The foundation works on helping to stop serious social issues such as bullying, loneliness and domestic violence as well as promoting well-being.
The Queen once described him as a valued colleague and a loyal friend.
Halbye was also said to have shared a close connection to King Frederik, according to Danish newspaper Berlingske.
Back when Frederik was still a prince, Halbye was reportedly appointed to help teach him about Danish business life.
This later blossomed into a friendship, the newspaper said.
Halbye also helped to build up consulting company McKinsey in Denmark with him even being known as Mr. McKinsey in the country.
Several McKinsey employees also shared touching tributes in honour of Halbye online.
One said: “What an incredible tragedy.”
As Roy Berggren – a senior Partner Emeritus at McKinsey – wrote: “What a tragedy. His true colours stood out already in 1988 when I joined the Scandinavia office.
“His leadership of the Firm’s personnel committees was inspirational. What a loss. RIP.”
It comes as another person also died on the Valais slopes on the same day as Halbye with two others also left seriously injured, according to Le Nouvelliste.
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