Max Burkhart dies following Lake Louise crash
17-year-old German skier Max Burkhart has died following a crash during downhill competition in the NorAm speed races in Lake Louise, Canada.
Burkhart lost control during his run on the afternoon of Dec. 5 and suffered serious, life-threatening injuries to his lower body. RCMP confirms that emergency first aid was immediately provided on the scene and Burkhart was transported to Foothills Hospital in Calgary via the STARS Air Ambulance in critical condition.
On Dec. 6, Burkhart succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The RCMP is assisting the office of the Medical Examiner in investigating the death and no criminal charges are expected.
Burkhart is a member of Ski Club Partenkirchen in Germany and attends Sugar Bowl Academy in California.
Alpine Canada Alpin has issued a statement on their Facebook page expressing their condolences.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard has also issued a statement as Burkhart was traveling with the Western Region Team.
The thoughts and prayers of everyone at U.S. Ski & Snowboard are with the family of Max Burkhart, the young German skier who sadly passed away today at a hospital in Calgary, Alberta.
Max was injured while competing in a NorAm Cup downhill ski race at Lake Louise, Alberta on Tuesday. He was a student at Sugar Bowl Academy in Norden, Calif. and was traveling with U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Western Region Team to the event.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is providing support to Sugar Bowl Academy and to the many U.S. athletes attending the NorAm Cup in Lake Louise with Burkhart.
“We are devastated to hear this news and offer our condolences to Max’s family, friends and his teammates,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO Tiger Shaw. “The ski racing family is a small one and we share the grief of our friends at Sugar Bowl Academy, the German Ski Association, Lake Louise and Alpine Canada Alpin today.”
The accident comes a short three weeks after French skier David Poisson lost his life following a training crash in nearby Nakiska while preparing for the Lake Louise World Cup speed races last month.
Editor’s note: A previous version incorrectly stated that the accident happened during a training run.
Additional information was provided by the RCMP and Brian Passifiume of the Calgary Sun. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
About the Author: Sean Higgins
