Wakefield, Que. (Rajeev Sharma): A 13-year-old girl who was critically injured after her clothing became entangled in a chairlift at Centre Vorlage has died, her family confirmed.
In a statement released Sunday through CHEO, the Ottawa children’s hospital where she was treated, the family said they were “devastated” by the loss.
“We would like to thank our community for their support and the outpouring of love we have received over the last few days. We would like to extend our love to all of those affected by this terrible tragedy,” the statement read. The family also expressed gratitude to those who took “heroic action” in an attempt to save their daughter. They confirmed that her organs were donated.
The incident occurred on February 11 during a school trip to the ski hill near Wakefield, Que. According to the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais Police, the girl was about to dismount the chairlift at the top of the hill when her clothing became caught in the machinery.
Adults attempted to free her and ultimately decided to send the chair back down the hill. When she reached the bottom, she was not breathing, police said. First responders, including two doctors who were present at the hill, performed CPR before she was transported to a hospital in Wakefield and later transferred to CHEO in Ottawa.
Centre Vorlage co-owner Alexandre Gaboury said the organization was “deeply saddened” by the girl’s death and extended condolences to her family. The ski hill has remained closed since the incident but announced that its restaurant would reopen Monday, followed by a gradual reopening of the hill on Tuesday. The resort stated that safety remains its top priority.
Multiple investigations are underway. In addition to the police probe, Régie du bâtiment du Québec, which oversees ski lift inspections in the province, conducted inspections on February 12 and 13 and identified “non-conformities.” A corrective notice was issued prohibiting the lift from operating until compliance requirements are met.
Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner is also investigating, as the girl died in hospital in Ottawa.
Yves Juneau, CEO of the Quebec Ski Areas Association, said the organization was deeply saddened by the tragedy, noting that ski lift safety standards in Quebec are typically stringent and regularly monitored.
Authorities say the goal of the investigation is to determine exactly what happened.
