Today marked a very tragic day in whitewaters history. 34 year old Carey Boxer died in a horrific skiing accident. Carey was an avid ski tourist and mountain biker.
Carey would have left home today like any other day. Saying goodbye to his wife and newborn child, and telling them he would see them as soon as he got home. Heading up the mountains with friend they would discuss what the future holds for them. Never could they have imagined what was coming.
Carey and friends had decided to ski a burly line at whitewater ski resort in nelson B.C. called the Hummer Face. He reached the peak with no doubt great anticipation for what he thought would come next. Carey was first to drop in. He rolled into the face and the slough he was standing on began to slide out from underneath him. He began tomahawking downwards. He was thrown over various large rocks and cliffs, and rolled right into a skier proclaimed “no exit range”. He did not stop. Over 300 meters down his friends see him, lying motionless in the snow.
We can only assume that Carey died mid-tumble, but there is no way of knowing for sure. When patrol arrived on the scene he was already dead. In a desperate struggle patrollers tried their very best to revive him. There was no hope. He was gone. Four hours later Carey was taken back to Nelson where his wife and child were already mourning his death.
This incident raises many questions about how exactly it happened. It may have just been one of those things, and it probably was. But what I cant stop thinking about is, would things have been different if he was wearing a helmet. It may not have saved his life entirely but it could have given him the chance to say goodbye to his loved ones.
Think about it guys, it doesn’t take much effort to put on a helmet. And if it were you, I know you would want at very least the chance to have a chance to say goodbye.
This is not the first time deaths like this have happened. And helmetless deaths are occurring more and more often. Earlier this season for example a man was skiing in Sunshine village in Alberta Canada. He was in bounds when he caught his edge and hit his head on a thinly covered rock. Had he been wearing a helmet, he would still be here today.
This is my plea newschoolers, wear a helmet!
Everything happens for a reason. The death of Carey Boxer was unfair, and has taken a huge impact on his family, friends and even people that did not know him personally such as myself. But it happened for a reason, it must have. Will we ever know for sure, I think not, but I have already learnt something. From now on my helmet doesn’t leave my head while I am on snow.
Just think about it, is it really worth it to take a chance?
Hummer Face Whitewater B.C.
