A 13-year-old girl from Ottawa remains in critical condition at CHEO after a piece of her clothing got caught on the chairlift at Centre Vorlage in western Quebec.
The ski hill located near Wakefield remained closed on Thursday as police investigated the incident that occurred during a school trip.
The MRC des Collines de l’Outaouais police said emergency crews responded to an incident at the Centre Vorlage near Wakefield at around 2:10 p.m. Wednesday, which occurred as the child was reportedly getting off the lift.
Sgt. Martin Fournel said the girl’s clothing got caught on a ski lift as she reached the summit.
“What we know so far is that she was about to get off the chairlift at the top of the hill, the piece of clothing got caught into the chair, and at one point she was hanging from the chairlift, which she was sitting in,” Fournel said.
“Obviously, lots of people were witnessing this and went to help her get off the chair.”
Fournel told CTV News Ottawa people attempting to rescue the girl “were not able to help because it was too high.”
Two doctors were skiing at the hill at the time of the incident and assisted with caring for the girl, Fournel said.
She was rushed to the hospital in Wakefield before being transferred to CHEO, the children’s hospital in Ottawa.
Fournel said it was a “very difficult” situation for emergency personnel when they arrived at the time.
“The owner of the hill are working with police, which is great and makes it easier,” Fournel said.
“And obviously, they’re very disturbed about all this, and we’re just trying to figure it out exactly what happened. If it was equipment failure or, you know, decision making.”
In a post on Facebook, Centre Vorlage said the popular ski hill will remain closed on Thursday.
“We will cooperate fully with the investigation conducted by the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais Police Service,” Centre Vorlage said.
“We are deeply saddened by this event. Our most sincere thoughts are with the family during this difficult time, and we extend to them our deepest compassion.”
Centre Vorlage is located 30 kilometres north of downtown Ottawa.
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) said in a statement its thoughts are with the student, her family, and the entire school community during this difficult time.
“Student well-being is always paramount, and we have taken immediate steps to support those affected, including ensuring mental health professionals are available to assist students and staff following the trip and in the days ahead,” a spokesperson for the school board said.
The OCDSB did not say which school the girl attended.
The Quebec Ski Areas Association said in a statement it is deeply saddened by the incident at Centre Vorlage.
“Please know that our thoughts are with the young skier’s family and loved ones as they face an extremely difficult time. They need all the support possible, and our hearts are with them,” said Quebec Ski Areas Association president and CEO Yves Juneau.
“The Association des stations de ski du Québec also wishes to express its support to the staff at Vorlage Ski Centre and to the entire ski community, which has been deeply affected by this event.”
Juneau said the association is cooperating fully with the authorities responsible for the investigation and will carefully review their findings and act on any recommendations that may be issued.
With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Ted Raymond and Tyler Fleming
