Quebec Sledding Tragedy Claims Life of 4-Year-Old Girl on Cross-Country Trail
A community in western Quebec is mourning the loss of a four-year-old girl who died last month following a sledding accident on a cross-country ski trail. The incident, which occurred at the Nakkertok facility in Val-des-Monts north of Gatineau on February 22, involved the child being pulled on a sled by an adult on skis.
According to the MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais police, the pair were descending a hill when the adult fell onto the girl, causing critical injuries. Sergeant Martin Fournel told media that first responders found the child in cardiac arrest. Despite immediate CPR performed by fire and ambulance crews at the scene and subsequent transfer to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa, the girl succumbed to her injuries. The exact date of her death was not disclosed.
"All indications suggest it was a tragic accident," police stated to CTV News Ottawa. The Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
This tragedy marks the second fatal incident involving a young skier in the region within weeks. In early February, a 13-year-old girl died at the Centre Vorlage ski hill in Wakefield after her clothing became entangled in a ski lift.
The family of the four-year-old, through a statement released by CHEO, expressed their devastation and gratitude for community support and the efforts of first responders. "We would like to extend our love to all of those affected by this terrible tragedy," they shared.
The accident has sparked conversations among outdoor recreation groups about safety protocols on multi-use trails, particularly regarding the mixing of different winter activities on groomed paths designed primarily for skiing.
Community Reaction
David Chen, a local skiing instructor and father of two: "This is a heartbreaking reminder that even familiar family activities carry risks. Our trails are shared spaces, and this should make us all pause and reaffirm our commitment to situational awareness, especially with children involved."
Marie-Claude Lefebvre, a long-time Val-des-Monts resident: "The entire community feels this loss. Nakkertok is where our children learn to ski and play. We need clear, updated guidelines from trail associations about safe sledding areas to prevent such unthinkable accidents."
Mark Richardson, an Ottawa-based safety advocate, reacted more sharply: "How many times do we need to see children die in preventable winter sports incidents before authorities mandate stricter regulations? Groomed cross-country trails are for skiing, not for high-speed sledding. This isn't just bad luck—it's a failure of risk management and parental judgment."
Dr. Anika Sharma, a pediatrician at CHEO: "The mechanisms of injury in childhood winter sports are often severe. We urge all parents and caregivers to actively consult safety resources from organizations like the Canada Safety Council before engaging in activities like sledding with young children."