(CNN) — Two teenagers who were on spring break died this Sunday night in a sledding accident in a closed area of the Copper Mountain ski resort, in central Colorado, United States.
According to a statement issued Monday by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, the teens allegedly were climbing down the half-pipe in pairs and were sent flying into a large snow bank at the bottom.
“The two individuals fell hard onto the hard ice below, causing blunt force trauma,” authorities said, adding that the coroner’s office will determine the official cause of death. The boys, ages 17 and 18, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The sledding incident occurred around 8:30 pm MT, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Copper Mountain Resort, which is located near Breckenridge and is about 120 kilometers west of Denver, said in a statement that the halfpipe was closed and cordoned off at the time of the accident. Access to the lifts and slopes closes at 4 p.m., authorities said.
The teenagers were in their final year at Prairie Central High School in Fairbury, Illinois, according to the school district’s superintendent.
“They were both great students, talented athletes, and most importantly, amazing people,” said Paula Crane, superintendent of Prairie Central Community Unit School District Number 8. “They were role models to everyone who knew them, especially to our young athletes across the district. The Prairie Central community continues to mourn their loss and will support their families, our staff members and our students throughout the grieving process.”
Copper Mountain President and CEO Dustin Lyman said the entire station team was deeply saddened by the deaths of the teens.
“Our deepest condolences to the families and friends affected. We are also grateful to our local emergency teams for their quick response and medical assistance,” Lyman said.
The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation is ongoing.