Two teenagers from Illinois on spring break vacation at Copper Mountain in Colorado were killed last night in a sledding accident.

NEW9 reports the Summit County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene around 8:35 p.m. The two teens from Illinois, age 17 and 18, were reportedly riding tandem down the halfpipe and launched from a large snowbank at the bottom. The teenagers landed on the hard ice below resulting in catostropic blunt-force trauma. 

Immediate medical attention from emergency medical services was administered but the teens could not be revived and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Dustin Lyman, Copper Mountain’s president and general manager issued this statement about the accident:

“The entire team at Copper Mountain is deeply saddened by this tragic incident. Our most sincere condolences go out to the affected families and friends. We are also thankful to our local emergency responders, for their quick response and the medical assistance provided.”

Lyman went on to remind guests that sledding is not allowed on Copper Mountain and reminded guests to observe posted signs and warnings and not enter closed trails and areas.

“Sledding is strictly prohibited here at Copper Mountain. There’s designated zones in some of our milder terrain, but on-mountain, after we close, there’s no sledding allowed.”

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two teens.

Summit County Sheriff’s Office

Date: March 20, 2023
Contact: Lt. Wanda Wilkerson
Contact number: 970-423-8901
Email of Contact Person: wanda.wilkerson@summitcountyco.gov
Summit County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Sledding Accident Resulting in Two Deaths at Copper Mountain Ski Resort

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Copper Mountain, Colorado – March 20, 2023 – On the evening of March 19, 2023, at approximately 8:35 pm, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office responded to a sledding accident at Copper Mountain Ski Resort involving the deaths of two individuals.
The two subjects, 17 and 18 years old males and both from Illinois, were on a Spring Break vacation. The subjects reportedly rode tandem down the half pipe and launched off a large snowbank at the bottom of the half pipe. The two individuals came down hard on the hard ice below, causing blunt force trauma.
Despite immediate medical attention from emergency medical services, the individuals could not be revived and were pronounced deceased on the scene.
Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons said, “Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and friends of the individuals involved in this tragic incident”.
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone to always practice safe on snow activity habits and to be aware of the risks associated with these activities.
The Summit County Coroner’s Office has taken over the investigation into the cause and manner of death.
This remains and active investigation and no further details are available at this time.

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