The identities of two teens who reportedly died in a copper mountain sledding accident have been revealed.
Both teens, Dylan Bazzell, 17 and Drew Fehr, 18 were killed in a copper mountain sledding accident which occured on Sunday night.
According to a statement from the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Monday, the teens who were on spring break in a closed area of Copper Mountain Ski Resort in central Colorado reportedly were riding tandem down the halfpipe and went airborne off a large snowbank at the bottom.
“The two individuals came down hard on the hard ice below, causing blunt force trauma,” officials said, adding that the coroner’s office will determine the official cause of death as the boys were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the sheriff’s office, the sledding incident happened around 8:30 p.m. MT.
Meanwhile, officials of Copper Mountain Resort, which is near Breckenridge and is about 75 miles west of Denver, in a statement said that the halfpipe was closed and roped off at the time of the accident adding that lift and trail access closes at 4 p.m.
The teens were seniors at Prairie Central High School in Fairbury, Illinois, according to the school district superintendent.
“Both were great students, talented athletes, and most importantly amazing people,” said Paula Crane, superintendent of Prairie Central Community Unit School District Number 8.
“They were role models for all who knew them, especially our young athletes throughout the district. The Prairie Central Community continues to mourn their loss, and will support their families, our staff members, and our students throughout the grieving process.”
Copper Mountain President and General Manager Dustin Lyman said the entire team at the resort was deeply saddened by the teens’ deaths.
“Our most sincere condolences go out to the affected families and friends. We are also thankful to our local emergency responders, for their quick response and the medical assistance provided,” Lyman said.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing.
