Tragic Ski Accident Claims Life of 13-Year-Old Ottawa Girl at Vorlage Hill
A devastating chairlift accident at the Vorlage ski area in Wakefield has resulted in the death of a 13-year-old Ottawa girl, sending shockwaves through the local community and prompting serious safety reviews. The incident occurred on February 11 when the young skier's hoodie became entangled in the chairlift mechanism during a school trip.
Emergency Response and Hospital Transfer
First responders were unable to free the girl from the chairlift cable at the scene, leading to the difficult decision to transport her to the bottom of the ski hill while she remained caught in the mechanism. She was initially taken to Wakefield Hospital before being transferred to CHEO (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario) in Ottawa for specialized care.
The girl's parents confirmed her death five days after the accident, expressing profound devastation while thanking community members for their support during this unimaginable tragedy. In a gesture of compassion amid their grief, the family donated their daughter's organs through Trillium Gift of Life Network.
Impact on Vorlage Ski Area and Staff
The accident has had a profound impact on the small ski area, with some Vorlage staff so traumatized by the incident that they have been unable to return to work. A source familiar with the operation who is not authorized to speak publicly revealed that many employees remain in shock and are struggling with trauma from witnessing the tragic event.
"There are a lot of people that are in shock and are not working right now," the source explained. "It is difficult. Some people were there and they have trauma and are not really doing well right now."
Safety Measures and Official Response
In response to the tragedy, Vorlage officials have implemented multiple safety measures. When the ski area reopened, extra staff and ski patrollers were brought in to provide "added confidence and comfort" to both skiers and lift operators. Officials with the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) - the provincial organization responsible for inspecting and ensuring ski lift safety - tested every piece of equipment on site, including all lifts, and recertified them as safe for use.
Vorlage staff have undergone extensive retraining as part of the safety enhancement efforts. A Vorlage official wrote in response to concerned parents: "I can assure you that we have taken this accident very seriously; it has been devastating for all those involved."
School Board Response and Ongoing Investigations
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has cancelled all ski trips involving chairlifts at ski hills following the accident. The board stated that ski trips would still proceed only if the use of chairlifts could be completely avoided, reflecting heightened safety concerns in the wake of the tragedy.
The February 11 accident remains under investigation by multiple authorities. Police are conducting their own inquiry while the Ontario coroner's office is working in collaboration with the Quebec coroner's office to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
The tragedy has raised significant questions about chairlift safety among parents whose children frequent ski areas, with many seeking reassurances about equipment inspections and operational protocols. As the investigations continue, the skiing community mourns the loss of a young life cut tragically short during what should have been an enjoyable school outing.
