After a week in a coma, Sarah Burke's death has saddened the nation and touched the world. Burke was practicing on January 11th during a training run on the superpipe in Park City, Utah, when the tragic accident occurred. To everyone's surprise, the Canadian ski pro suddenly crashed violently. She has remained in a coma since the accident.
People from around the world have poured out their love and support to Burke and her family. Everyone was hoping that Burke would live and not die, but it was not meant to be. Even though last Thursday, Burke had appeared to be doing well after a "successful surgery to repair a torn vertebral artery that caused bleeding between her brain and her skull," she still passed away.
The Canadian skier had suffered from cardiac arrest today after she "sustained irreversible damage to her brain due to lack of oxygen and blood following cardiac arrest."
Poor sweetheart! She just couldn't take the vicious trauma of the skiing accident. It might make some people think twice about taking up skiing for spring break this year. It is just not safe, especially for beginners, who have no clue what they are doing on the slopes.
The good news following Sarah Burke's death is that she was surrounded by loved ones when she took her last breath. Present at her death were her parents, Jan and Gordon Burke, her sister, Anna, and her husband Rory Bushfield. May her family and friends find strength and comfort as they grieve Burke's loss.
Burke had wished for her organs to be donated, so that she could save a life. The pro skier offered the gift of life and possibly salvation to a life in need. Just beautiful!
The Burke family made this statement: "The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude for the international outpouring of support they have received from all the people Sarah touched." She certainly touched a lot of lives in her life as well as in her death. May she live on in the world's hearts and minds.
© David Raphael 2011
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