American teenager dead after collision with sign at Banff ski hill

The parking lot at Sunshine Village Ski Resort in 2020. RMO FILE PHOTO

 A teenager died after he crashed at a ski hill in Banff National Park.

Staff Sgt. Mike Buxton-Carr, detachment commander of Banff RCMP, said police were called to Sunshine Village ski resort on Thursday (Feb. 15).

"A skier had collided with a sign at a junction to two marked runs. This was not an incident of a skier venturing out-of-bounds," he said.

"Emergency medical services attempted life-saving measures, however, the skier was unfortunately pronounced dead at the scene."

Buxton-Carr said the 15-year-old boy was from the United States.

"The RCMP investigation has determined that this event did not involve negligence nor foul play," he said in an email.

"This was a tragic incident and the RCMP extends its sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased."

Paramedics responded quickly to the ski hill at about 11 a.m.

“On EMS arrival, the patient was found to be in critical and life-threatening condition,” said Stuart Brideaux, a public education officer for Alberta Health Services.

“Our paramedics initiated some early medical interventions. However, after a period of time, the patient was unfortunately declared deceased and not transported [to a Calgary hospital].”

Following the incident, the skier was brought down to Sunshine Village's medical station by ski patrol.

STARS air ambulance was dispatched to Sunshine Village, but were stood down after arriving on scene.

An attempt to reach Sunshine Village ski resort was unsuccessful before publication. The story will be updated if they comment.

 

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