Tragedy on the ski slope: 13-year-old crashes into snow cannon - dead

Krakow (Poland) - Tragedy on a winter vacation: a 13-year-old boy has died in an accident on a ski slope in the popular Polish ski resort of Krynica-Zdrój . The teenager crashed into a snow cannon.

A serious accident occurred on a Polish ski slope. (symbolic image)
A serious accident occurred on a Polish ski slope. (symbolic image)  © Sebastian Willnow/dpa

It was supposed to be a carefree winter vacation, but the last descent ended fatally for a young Slovakian.

The 13-year-old skier was skiing down a slope in the winter sports resort of Krynica-Zdrój (southern Poland) on Wednesday morning, reports TVN24. But he fell, slid against the safety net of the snow cannon, smashed through it and crashed into the device.

Although the teenager was wearing a helmet, he suffered terrible injuries. He was flown by helicopter to hospital in Krakow.

The doctors fought for his life for two days. Then the sad certainty: on Friday afternoon, the 13-year-old succumbed to his serious injuries.

The net offered him no protection. The young winter sports enthusiast crashed into the snow cannon. (symbolic image)
The net offered him no protection. The young winter sports enthusiast crashed into the snow cannon. (symbolic image)  © 123rf/michelangeloop

It is still unclear why the fatal fall occurred. The snow cannon was secured with a net and clearly marked in accordance with regulations. The device was not in operation at the time of the accident.

The police are investigating.