`MIRACLE' TEEN DIES; LOST SNOWBOARDER SURVIVED 6 DAYS BEFORE RESCUE.

Byline: Peter Hartlaub Daily News Staff Writer

A 14-year-old snowboarder who survived for six days in subfreezing temperatures died at a hospital Friday night, a week after rescuers found him.

Jeff Thornton's condition seemed to be improving in the days since he was found by optimistic members of the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team on Friday the 13th. But he took a turn for the worse Thursday.

He died at 10:39 p.m. Friday after going into cardiac arrest, said Randy Emon, San Bernardino County Coroner's Office spokesman.

Officials at Loma Linda University Medical Center said the Brawley teen-ager developed severe breathing problems the night before he died.

Doctors said that on Friday they noticed gangrene had infected Thornton's feet. The youth went into cardiac arrest after he was operated on in the hospital's intensive-care unit.

The Coroner's Office listed the cause of death as ``perforation of right cardiac atrium'' - a hole in the wall of the heart chamber that receives blood. The condition developed in part as a complication due to the teen's exposure to the elements, according to the coroner.

Thornton's family declined to answer questions but released a statement.

``After the elation felt upon Jeff's being found, the despair of now losing him has devastated his family and friends,'' the statement read. ``The family once again wishes to thank everyone for their continued prayers and support.''

He had been improving

Since he was found, Thornton's condition appeared to be improving steadily.

He was moved from the ICU to a room at the hospital early in the week and was visited by members of his favorite hockey team, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, on Thursday.

Thornton suffered from frostbite on his arms, legs and hands, but doctors said amputations weren't needed.

Dr. Shamel Abd-Allah said in a statement that the youth ``did reasonably well during his initial hospital stay'' but began developing respiratory problems Thursday night.

Doctors said the teen developed adult respiratory distress syndrome hours after his Friday morning operation and was given antibiotics.

``Despite maximum support on the ventilator, we were not able to stabilize him,'' Abd-Allah said in the statement. Thornton's heart stopped at about 10 p.m., and doctors were unable to revive him.

Members of the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team said they were saddened by the news, but they took solace from the fact that that their efforts helped allow Thornton to spend his final days with his family.

``Of course we're all feeling really bad about it. Our condolences go out to his family,'' said Steve Millenbach, vice president of the team. ``It's a surprise to everyone.''

Lost Feb. 7 in blizzard

Thornton got lost in a blizzard Feb. 7 while snowboarding with his uncle at the Mountain High ski resort in the San Gabriel Mountains near Wrightwood.

Foul weather had prevented members of the search-and-rescue team from looking in the canyon where Thornton was found.

On Friday, two members of the team climbed down 2,000 feet below the ridge where Thornton was last seen. They found the teen-ager next to a small creek, bruised and missing a boot and his gloves, but still wrapped in a two-piece snowboarding suit.

A day after the dramatic rescue, the 5-foot-9, 215-pound high school freshman was enjoying his first meal in a week at Foothill Presbyterian Hospital in Glendora.

Thornton was moved to Loma Linda on Sunday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1 -- color) Jeff Thornton, 14, who survived for six days after getting lost while snowboarding in the rugged San Gabriel Mountains, died Friday evening.

Associated Press

(2) Dr. Shamel Abd-Allah, right, discusses details of Jeff Thornton's death Saturday at a news conference with Dr. Takkin Lo at Loma Linda University Medical Center.