B.C. freestyle skier Sarah Burke dies in Utah hospital

Canadian freestyle skiing pioneer Sarah Burke has died in a hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was 29.

Burke, who lived in Squamish, sustained injuries on January 10 during a superpipe training run at Park City Mountain Resort. She had been in a medically induced coma following surgery.

"Sarah passed away peacefully surrounded by those she loved. In accordance with Sarah’s wishes, her organs and tissues were donated to save the lives of others," a statement from Burke's publicist said, according to the Whistler Question.

"A public celebration of Sarah’s life will be held in the coming weeks."

Burke was a four-time Winter X Games champion.

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Past coverage of Sarah Burke:
Sarah Burke's Signature Roxy Ski Jacket brings style to the slopes
Party in Whistler at World Ski and Snowboard Festival

Comments

6 Comments

Doctor

Jan 19, 2012 at 3:09pm

That's incredibly sad. She was such a brave advocate for women in sports. My heart goes out to her family and friends. The world just lost a good one.

Travis Bourque

Jan 19, 2012 at 3:42pm

:(

David L.

Jan 19, 2012 at 5:32pm

Simply "Terribly Sad" .....our condolences to her family

Memememe

Jan 19, 2012 at 11:08pm

RIP. Condolences to her family.

DR-Montreal

Jan 20, 2012 at 9:15am

Sorry but this indicates that this sport is hardly as safe as it is made out to be. I would argue it's not really a "sport" at all, but a venue where top downhill athletes are being induced to perform risky stunts. And it is not alone--it's surely a matter of time before there will be further instances of paralysis, comas, and death with the spectacle of ridiculous skateboard "sports" for example, that see young men with little protection flying down over concrete stairs and iron banisters with slim odds of performing the stunt, and high odds of wiping out. The extreme sport, quick-fix appetite for stunts, will result in more tragedies like Sarah's.

My condolences to her family and friends, but I feel that had to be said.

Just Ed!

Jan 24, 2012 at 12:42am

I love the sport of skiing! Sarah loved it too! My condolences to her family and friends! May God bless you in your times of sorrow! With all my love Ed!