Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Newsletters
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
A week after deadly Texas flooding, hope fades but resilience grows. Chevron right
Recovery teams, displaced residents in Texas face brutal heat. Chevron right

Columbus, OH

71°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

71°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Newsletters

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Weather News

2 teens killed in sledding accident during Colorado vacation

The teenagers suffered blunt force trauma after an accident on an Olympic-sized halfpipe, leaving an Illinois community in mourning.

By Thomas Leffler, AccuWeather staff writer

Published Mar 21, 2023 2:30 PM EDT | Updated Mar 21, 2023 2:34 PM EDT

Copied

Two Illinois teenagers, on spring break at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado, were killed Sunday night while sledding down a closed halfpipe, according to the Summit County Sheriff's Office. (Photo courtesy of Copper Mountain via UPI)

Two teenagers from Illinois died Sunday night in Colorado after they were involved in a sledding accident during a spring break trip. 

The Summit County, Colorado, Sheriff’s Office stated that a 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old boy were at Copper Mountain Ski Resort and were riding tandem when they “launched off a large snowbank at the bottom of the halfpipe” at about 8:35 p.m., local time. The two suffered blunt force trauma due to coming down “hard on the hard ice,” and were pronounced dead at the scene. 

The two were given immediate medical attention, according to reporting from the Colorado Sun, but the boys could not be revived. “Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and friends of the individuals involved in this tragic incident,” Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons said. The sledders' identities had not been released as of Tuesday. However, the Pontiac Daily Leader reported the victims were Prairie Central High School seniors Dylan Bazzell and Drew Fehr, both of Fairbury, Illinois, citing information provided by authorities. The news outlet also said both teens were members of the high school’s basketball and football teams, respectively.

The Sheriff's Office said their deaths remain under investigation by the county coroner’s office. 

GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+

A spokesperson on behalf of Copper Mountain said that the halfpipe was roped off at the time of the accident, with all lifts and trail access closed at 4 p.m. local time, each day. The halfpipe, used for Olympic-qualifying events, is 22 feet tall and nearly 550 feet in length. 

The boys were students at Prairie Central High School in Fairbury, Illinois, about 100 miles southwest of Chicago. Paula Crane, superintendent of Prairie Central Community Unit School District Number 8, said in a statement that “the loss will affect everyone in our school family and our communities.” “Students may have a difficult time dealing with the loss and we encourage you to talk to your child,” Crane added.

Colorado was also reeling from a Sunday fatality of a skier near Aspen Highlands Ski Resort, who died after an avalanche about 200 feet wide went 2,000 feet down from the upper face of a loaded slope, according to the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office. 

Read More:

2 hikers found dead after caught in flash flood in popular slot canyon
Video shows why you shouldn’t park near Lake Erie shoreline in winter
Biden designates area sacred to tribes as national monument

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.

Report a Typo

Weather News

Weather News

A week after deadly Texas flooding, hope fades but resilience grows

Jul. 10, 2025
Severe Weather

Rounds of severe storms to rattle, drench central US

Jul. 10, 2025
video

Abandoned cars submerged by severe flooding in North Carolina

Jul. 10, 2025
video

Before-and-after pictures show devastation caused by Texas floods

Jul. 9, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe weather to rumble in the central US through the holiday weekend

Jul. 6, 2025
Weather News

Record sargassum seaweed piles up on Caribbean islands, Gulf

Jul. 2, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Weather Forecasts

Texas Hill Country recovery, cleanup teams to face brutal July weather

15 hours ago

Weather News

State inspection before floods found Camp Mystic had emergency plan

20 hours ago

Weather News

Deadly flash flooding devastates wildfire-scarred New Mexico town

8 hours ago

Astronomy

1st full moon of summer to rise Thursday night

1 day ago

Weather News

Most Texas flood victims face devastation without flood insurance

18 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Health

How can families handle new anxieties around summer camp?

14 hours ago

AccuWeather Ready

Floodwater rising in your house? Do this

2 days ago

Weather News

Orcas are bringing humans gifts of food – but why?

14 hours ago

Weather News

Earthquake swarm detected at Mount Rainier, biggest since 2009

19 hours ago

Weather News

The US has a plan to breed millions of flies and drop them from planes

14 hours ago

AccuWeather Weather News 2 teens killed in sledding accident during Colorado vacation
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...