A 12-year-old boy is in critical condition after a high-speed crash Sunday on the Allagash trail at Black Mountain in Rumford, Maine, turning a routine ski day into a medical emergency that shut down part of the slope.
The boy, described by the ski area as a “ski racer,” was first taken by ambulance to Rumford Hospital and then flown by medical helicopter to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where he remained in critical condition Sunday night. Black Mountain has released only limited details about the incident.
Crash details
Emergency officials told NBC Boston the boy’s skis appear to have struck mud or a rock, causing him to lose control and slam into trees at a high rate of speed. The crash happened on the Allagash trail, a run at the Rumford resort, officials said.
Rescue and hospital transfer
Ski patrol and first responders reached the boy on the slope and moved him to the patrol room before he was transported by Med-Care ambulance to Rumford Hospital. From there, he was airlifted to Maine Medical Center in Portland for further treatment.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the young ski racer who was injured this morning skiing on the Allagash trail,” Black Mountain said in a Facebook post, according to NBC Boston.
Another child hurt this week
The crash is the second serious youth skiing incident at Black Mountain in about a week. A 9-year-old girl was flown to a hospital after suffering a head injury, the Lewiston Sun Journal reported.
In that earlier case, ski patrol stabilized the girl at the scene before she was taken to Rumford Hospital and later transferred to Portland for additional care, according to the newspaper.
Officials warn about conditions
Rumford Deputy Fire Chief Mike Arsenault told News Center Maine that recent warmer temperatures have turned the snow “real like marbly and mealy,” making it “almost like skiing on ice.”
Officials noted that springlike conditions can hide hazards such as exposed rocks or muddy patches and can increase the risk of high-speed falls, even for experienced young racers.
What’s next
Rumford officials and ski-patrol investigators are reviewing the run where the boy crashed and have not released any additional information about contributing factors or potential trail changes.
Black Mountain lists trail reports and contact information for tips and updates, and the resort has not added further details beyond its Facebook statement.
