A serious incident at Centre Vorlage has led the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) to suspend all ski trips that involve chairlifts. The decision follows a life-threatening injury to a 13-year-old student whose clothing became entangled with a chairlift. The school board's directive halts the use of chairlifts for students and staff effective immediately, with ski trips permitted only if chairlifts are not utilized.
Incident Details and Immediate Aftermath
On Wednesday, a 13-year-old girl sustained injuries described as life-threatening. The event occurred at Centre Vorlage, a ski resort located near Wakefield in western Quebec, around 2 p.m. Reports indicate her hoodie became caught in a chairlift's pull device.
The injured student was transported to CHEO, the children's hospital in Ottawa.
Centre Vorlage temporarily closed on Wednesday and Thursday following the incident.
MRC des Collines police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the injury.
Psychological support has been offered to those who witnessed the event.
Board's Response and Policy Change
The OCDSB communicated its decision to cancel ski trips involving chairlifts in a message to staff.
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The prohibition on chairlift use is immediate.
Ski trips can still proceed if chairlifts are not a necessary part of the activity.
The identity and school of the injured student have not been released.
Safety Considerations and Investigations
The OCDSB emphasizes the importance of student and staff safety, with existing plans for emergency preparedness. However, this incident has prompted a direct review of activities involving ski lifts.
The police investigation will seek to establish the precise cause of the entanglement.
The school board's action signals a precautionary measure prioritizing student well-being over current recreational programming.
Wider Implications
The incident at Centre Vorlage highlights potential risks associated with student excursions to outdoor recreational facilities.
The OCDSB's swift cancellation of relevant trips suggests a significant concern for student safety and a desire to prevent similar occurrences.
The investigation by MRC des Collines police will be crucial in determining accountability and identifying any necessary safety improvements at the resort or in school trip protocols.
Expert Analysis
While specific expert commentary on this particular incident is not yet available in the provided data, educational institutions typically have risk assessment protocols for off-site activities. These protocols generally evaluate:
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The inherent dangers of the activity.
The adequacy of supervision.
The safety measures in place at the venue.
The training and qualifications of staff accompanying students.
The OCDSB's decision indicates that the risk associated with chairlift use, as demonstrated by this event, has been deemed too high under current circumstances.
Conclusion
A 13-year-old student suffered life-threatening injuries at Centre Vorlage due to her clothing getting caught in a chairlift. In response, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has immediately canceled all ski trips that require the use of chairlifts, pending further review or clarification of safety procedures. An investigation into the incident is ongoing by MRC des Collines police. The OCDSB's policy change underscores a proactive approach to student safety in the wake of a severe accident.
Sources:
Ottawa Citizen: https://ottawacitizen.com/news/ocdsb-cancels-ski-trips-vorlage - Reported on the cancellation of ski trips by OCDSB following the incident.
CBC News: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ski-lift-malfunction-centre-vorlage-9.7085177 - Detailed the injury to the 13-year-old girl and the closure of Centre Vorlage.
OCDSB: https://www.ocdsb.ca/our-schools/safe-caring-schools/emergency-preparedness-and-response - Outlines the school board's general approach to safety and emergency preparedness.
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