Dylan Bazzell and Drew Fehr: Illinois high school athletes killed in sledding accident in Colorado
BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO: Two high school athletes from Illinois, who were on a spring break, were killed in a sledding accident in a ski resort in central Colorado on Sunday, March 19. Dylan Bazzell and Drew Fehr were identified as the unfortunate victims by school officials.
The teenagers were riding tandem down a half-pipe at Copper Mountain Ski Resorton Sunday night when their sled launched off a large snowbank, according to a Monday statement from the Summit County Sheriff’s Office. "The two individuals came down hard on the hard ice below, causing blunt force trauma," the statement read. The sledding incident took place around 8.30 pm MT, according to the sheriff’s office.
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Half-pipe broke off and crashed on a large snowbank
First responders arrived at the scene around 8.35 pm, but they were unable to revive the two teenagers and they were both pronounced dead, according to a report by the New York Post.
Copper Mountain president and general manager Dustin Lyman told ABC News that the resort closes lift and trail access at 4 pm daily. The halfpipe where the incident took place was roped off at the time of the teens' deaths, he explained. He also expressed that the entire team at the resort was deeply saddened by the teenagers 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.
Victims were star athletes in their school
Police said that the victims were 17 and 18 years old, but they initially did not release their names. In a letter to the community on Monday, the Prairie Central school district in Fairbury, confirmed the identity of the victims. They said the boys were visiting the Colorado resort for spring break.
Both Bazzell and Fehr were star athletes in high school. Dylan Bazzell was the son of boys’ basketball coach and former all-star Darin Bazzell. Shortly before the unfortunate event, he was selected for the first team all-state basketball selection, according to the Pontiac Daily Leader. During the fall season, he was a defensive back, wide receiver, and kicker on the boys’ football team.
Drew Fehr also started on the basketball team and is currently the captain of the football team. As a running back and linebacker, he led Prairie Central with 1,439 rushing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 98 tackles.
Soon after the news of their death spread, tributes began pouring in the memory of the two students. Prairie Central schools remain closed for spring break this week, but the administration encouraged the community to reach out for counseling in the wake of the tragedy.