FLORENCEVILLE, New Brunswick — Peter McCain, who headed the international division of the McCain Foods frozen-food empire run by his father, has been killed in a snowmobile accident.

McCain, 39, was found badly injured Tuesday at the edge of a private runway, about 11 hours after he was seen riding a snowmobile alone on the family’s property in western New Brunswick. He died later Tuesday in a hospital, police said.

Peter was a confidant of his father, Harrison McCain, particularly during the corporation’s bitter struggle over succession with Wallace McCain, Harrison’s brother and co-founder of the conglomerate best known for french fries and other frozen products.

Peter McCain was named president of McCain Foods International two weeks after his uncle was removed from the family-owned corporation in September 1994.

The operations of McCain Foods extend across the Maine border into Aroostook County.

Peter McCain is survived by his wife and two sons.