A young girl has died in hospital after she was injured at Castle Ski Resort while on a school trip on Tuesday.
The 10-year-old girl was skiing with her classmates from Canyon Elementary in Pincher Creek at about 11:30 a.m. when she lost control while on the hill and struck a pole.
The girl was wearing a helmet but suffered serious head injuries as a result of the incident.
Jason Crawford, sales and marketing manager at Castle Mountain Resort, says that the facility's ski patrol adminstered first aid to the girl until EMS arrived.
"Once the EMS arrived on scene, which they called immediately, they took over from there and she was transferred to the Alberta Children’s Hospital."
Due to poor weather conditions preventing a helicopter from getting to the scene, the girl was taken by ground ambulance to the ACH in Calgary.
At about 9:45 p.m., the girl was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Crawford says they have few details on what exactly happened and they are working to complete an internal investigation as well as assisting police and the Medical Examiner's Office with theirs.
He says it occurred at a fence line that was off the ski trail.
"That area is a beginner area. It’s definitely a family-oriented area so it’s a bit of a shock to us, for sure."
Crawford says the resort hasn't been in touch with the family yet, but they are working with staff at Canyon Elementary.
"We are hoping we can have a better meeting today. As most, tight, close-knit communities are, this is hitting them pretty hard as well. We know they are trying to gather their thoughts and what not and that’s where our thoughts are. We are thinking about the family and respecting the family and, at the same time, looking out for our staff and our community."
RCMP is aiding the Medical Examiner in the investigation and support is being given to the girl’s family as well as staff and students at Canyon Elementary.
Crawford say similar support services are in place for staff at the resort as well.
He adds that in the coming days, they hope to have a better idea of the events that led up to the girl's death.
In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, the school's principal said that they are sending their condolences to the family of the young girl.
"The Canyon School Community is devastated by this loss," said Principal Paul Pichurski.
The Livingston Range School Division says that the crisis reponse team has been sent to the school to render any assistance where necessary.
"We are extremely saddened by the loss of one of our students," said LRSD Board of Trustees Chair, Brad Toone in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the school community. We will work with everyone involved to continue to provide support in the coming days and weeks."
The school board requests the community to respect the privacy of the family at this time.
The identity of the victim has not been released.
