Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke dies from injuries
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke lost her battle nine days after crashing at the bottom of the superpipe during a training run in Utah, dying Thursday at the age of 29.
Burke was injured Jan. 10 while training at a personal sponsor event at the Park City Mountain resort.
The native of Squamish, B.C. fell during a training session at a personal sponsor event and was airlifted to a hospital in Salt Lake City.
“Our hearts go out to Sarah’s husband Rory and her entire family, Canadian Freestyle Ski Association CEO Peter Judge said in a statement.
”It’s difficult for us to imagine their pain and what they’re going through. Sarah was certainly someone who lived life to the fullest and in doing so was a significant example to our community and far beyond.
“She will be greatly missed by all of us at the CFSA and the entire ski community.”
Tests revealed Burke sustained “irreversible damage to her brain due to lack of oxygen and blood after cardiac arrest,” according to a statement released by Burke’s publicist.
As a result of her fall, Burke tore her vertebral artery, which led to severe bleeding on the brain, causing her to go into cardiac arrest on the scene, where CPR was performed, according to the statement by publicist Nicole Wool.
Wool said Burke’s organs and tissues were donated as per her wishes.
“The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude for the international outpouring of support they have received from all the people Sarah touched,” the statement said.
