Sadly, a Randolph, Massachusetts, teen died over the weekend at a Vermont ski resort on his first snowboarding outing. Police reported that the 16-year-old crashed into a sign at the Stratton Mountain ski resort Saturday and died as a result of his injuries.
The resort ski patrol said they found the teen shortly after the crash and could not find a pulse. However, emergency workers at the ski resort were reportedly able to re-establish a pulse before the teen was flown by helicopter to a New Hampshire hospital.
Unfortunately, though, the teen passed away at the hospital as a result of his serious injuries.
At this point, other facts surrounding the accident have not been released. Additionally, it has not been reported if negligent maintenance at the ski resort could have contributed to the accident, but it is likely that an investigation will take place to find out.
While downhill skiing and snowboarding are inherently dangerous activities and participants usually sign waivers that absolve ski resorts of liability in cases of injury, the resorts still have a duty to keep their grounds safe and free of unreasonable risks.
Improper lighting, missing signage and unmaintained slopes are all dangers that could put the lives of skiers and snowboarders in danger unnecessarily. These are all issues that could also hold ski resorts liable in premises liability claims arising from serious accidents on the slopes.
Source: CBS Boston, “Mass. Teenager Dies After VT Snowboarding Crash,” March 24, 2014