Freestyle skier Sarah Burke dies
Posted January 19, 2012 6:25 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SALT LAKE CITY – Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke has died in hospital from injuries sustained in a crash last week in Utah.
Her family confirmed the death in a statement Thursday afternoon.
She passed away just before 9:30 a.m., Thursday, at the University of Utah hospital, according to the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.
The 29-year-old was injured last week in a training accident at the superpipe at Park City Mountain Resort.
She underwent surgery to repair a tear to an artery that caused bleeding on her brain. However, her family said tests revealed she had sustained irreversible damage to her brain due to lack of oxygen and blood following cardiac arrest at the scene.
Her’s friend Kevin Hole spoke with CityNews.ca just a few moments after learning that she had died.
“She was one of our hometown heroes, along with the other Olympians. When the news broke that it (her accident) happened it was like everyone held their breath in this town. We were just all kind of hoping because she’s very strong willed, and we were hoping for the best,” he said.
The Barrie, Ont., native was a four-time Winter X Games champion.
“She inspired a lot of women in the ski world,” Hole said. “She was really the best of the best.”
Burke was the best-known athlete in her sport and will be remembered for the legacy she left for women in freestyle skiing.
Canadian Freestyle CEO Peter Judge said she was essential in getting women’s freestyle skiing into the Olympics.
“Sarah always approached sport from a why not perspective, whether it was her as a young athlete standing on the sidelines, why can’t girls compete in the big air along with the guys,” he said.
Publicist Nicole Wool says Burke’s organs and tissues have been donated as per her wishes.
Wool also says Burke’s family is expressing heartfelt gratitude for the international outpouring of support they have received.
The family has set up a fund for those wishing to donate. The money will go toward Sarah’s outstanding medical costs and related expenses. The donation page can be found by clicking here.
