FILE - In this June 1, 2011, file photo provided by Jeff Bottari, Erik Roner, of Nitro Circus, talks to the media after a base jump off the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The extreme sports and MTV star skydiving for the opening ceremony of a golf event in Northern California died when he struck a tree Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, authorities said. (Jeff Bottari via AP, File)

SAN FRANCISCO - A skier and BASE jumper who regularly appeared on an MTV show about extreme sports was killed after crashing into a tree during a skydiving stunt at a California golf course, authorities said.

Erik Roner, 39, died Monday as he performed with other skydivers before a golf tournament in Squaw Valley, about 5 miles (8 kilometres) from Lake Tahoe's northwest shore, Placer County sheriff's Capt. Dennis Walsh said.

Roy Tuscany, a friend of Roner's, said he watched as two other parachutists landed safely on the golf course's fairway but then looked on in horror as Roner slammed hard into a tree about 30 feet (10 metres) above the ground.

He said Roner's parachute got tangled in the tree and Roner dangled there while many on the ground scrambled to find ladders and other means to get to him. At one point, several people tried to stand on one another's shoulders to reach him.

Authorities were not able to remove Roner from the tree, and he died at the scene, Walsh said. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the death.

"Erik was a beautiful man, great father, wonderful friend and the love of my life," his wife, Annika Roner, said in a statement.

Roner's death comes four months after world-famous wingsuit flyer Dean Potter and fellow adventurer Graham Hunt died after leaping from Taft Point, 3,500 feet above Yosemite Valley, and crashing into a ridgeline.

Roner, a professional skier and avid BASE jumper, was known for being part of "Nitro Circus," an MTV show centred around freestyle motocross rider Travis Pastrana and his friends who are extreme-sports athletes. He also hosted the TV show "Locals" on sports network Outside Television.

"Nitro Circus" ended in 2009 after two seasons. "Nitro Circus Live," on which Roner also appeared, aired on MTV2 for four seasons until last year, MTV spokeswoman Jennifer Solari said.

"Action sports icon Erik Roner, legendary skier, BASE jumper and a founding member of the Nitro Circus Crew has passed away this morning doing what he loved; sky diving," said Roner's manager, Travis Clarke.

BASE jumping stands for leaping from fixed locations including buildings, antenna, spans or Earth.

Roner is survived by his wife and two children.

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Associated Press writer Olga R. Rodriguez contributed to this report.

News from © The Associated Press, 2015