EDMONTON — An Edmonton high school student was killed Monday when he hit a tree while skiing on a class field trip in Panorama, B.C.
Skyler Lockwood, in Grade 10 at J. Percy Page high school, was airlifted to hospital in nearby Invermere after the 11 a.m. accident but died from his injuries, said school principal Audrey Gibson.
She couldn’t confirm if Lockwood was killed from a blow to the head, but said he was wearing a helmet at the time.
“Today has just been a tragic day for our school community,” Gibson, her voice breaking, told a news conference.
“It was difficult to tell the kids, and to tell the staff.”
A tribute page to Lockwood was set up on the Facebook website, with friends asking classmates to wear black to school on Tuesday in his memory.
Lockwood was one of 34 students on their first day of an annual trip to the B.C. ski resort when the tragedy occurred.
Gibson says Lockwood skied off the run and into the bordering trees.
She couldn’t say if he was an experienced skier or not.
There were three adult supervisors on the trip, which Gibson says was within guidelines.
She said they have run the trip for years and have never had significant injuries, let alone a death.
Donna Barrett, acting superintendent of the Edmonton Public School Board, said they will try to comfort those affected.
“In the coming days and weeks we will do everything we can to ensure this student’s family receives the support they need. As well, students and staff who knew Skyler well at Percy Page will have support from our counsellors.”
RCMP in Invermere, B.C., have confirmed that an accident happened at the resort, but there are no details.
The ski resort has not commented.
The trip was part of a physical education class, with students skiing for fun and getting lessons.
Friends and classmates posted numerous messages on the Facebook site.
“My condolences go out to all his friends and family. No one should pass at that age,” wrote Thane Smith.
“I had a class with you. You always made jokes and had a smile on your face,” wrote Alliya Asim.