9-Year-Old Girl Seriously Injured at Maine Ski Resort

According to an article on the WCSH 6 website, a 9-year-old girl has been hospitalized after a serious skiing accident at Black Mountain of Maine.

Rumford Fire Deputy Chief Mike Arsenault said crews were first sent out on what was described as a cardiac arrest call involving a child.

Family members found the girl unconscious partway down a trail and called 911.  No one actually saw the accident happen, so what caused her injuries is still unclear. Arsenault credited the girl’s sister for quickly making the emergency call, which helped responders get moving faster.

Firefighters arrived and worked with ski patrol to stabilize the child before securing her to a stretcher and bringing her down the mountain.  Arsenault said the girl was drifting in and out of responsiveness and was believed to have suffered a head injury.  Because no one witnessed the crash, officials think it may have involved some kind of collision, possibly with ice, trees, or another object at speed.

As she was transported downhill, crews reported she began breathing on her own.  Due to concerns about her head injury and changing level of consciousness, she was flown to Rumford Hospital for further treatment.  Medical staff will now determine how severe her injuries are. Arsenault described her condition at the scene as critical.

Black Mountain of Maine remains open, and officials say there is no sign of a broader safety issue connected to the incident.

Of course, as she is a minor, the identity and city of residence for the child have not been released.

Our thoughts are with her and her family during this trying time.