Alaska Skier in Medically-Induced Coma After Devastating Slush Cup Crash
GIRDWOOD, Alaska — A young skier is fighting for his life and facing possible paralysis after a severe crash during the Alaska Airlines Slush Cup at Alyeska Resort this past Saturday. William Ingrim, 28, was critically injured while attempting a high-speed pond skim, landing hard near the end of the pool and requiring immediate medical intervention.
Family members confirmed to Alaska’s News Source that Ingrim remains in a medically-induced coma and is on a ventilator due to breathing complications following the crash. His mother, Robin Ingrim, shared harrowing details Sunday about his condition, revealing doctors performed neck surgery to relieve spinal pressure but fear his legs may remain paralyzed.
Fractured Spine and Paralysis Feared After High-Speed Crash
Video footage from the event showed Ingrim skiing at high velocity up to the pond jump, soaring over nearly the full pool length before crashing land near the pool’s far end. Emergency responders rushed to the scene immediately, stabilizing him before hospital transfer.
“He’s stable but in a coma,” Robin Ingrim told reporters, highlighting fears that he may never regain use of his legs. “They aren’t thinking he is going to get the use of his legs back,” she said. However, she held on to hope that once pressure is relieved from his neck, some upper-body function could return.
Ingrim’s mother described her son as a gentle and cherished presence — the only son among seven siblings, a commercial fisherman by trade, and a ski coach who teaches freeride classes at Alyeska during winters. “He’s precious to me,” she said. “Will is the nicest young man you know.”
Resort Officials Express Support but Decline Further Comment
Officials from Alyeska Resort expressed their sympathies to Ingrim and his family, emphasizing their commitment to safety at the event. A spokesperson, Bayne Salmon, stated,
“The Slush Cup is a longstanding event that is carefully planned with safety measures in place, including trained personnel and emergency response teams on site.”
The resort declined to release more details out of respect for the injured participant and his family.
Next Steps: Ongoing Medical Treatment and Family Support
Ingrim’s mother revealed that a second surgery is planned to address his back injuries, though the timeline remains uncertain as doctors continuously assess his condition. Emotionally overwhelmed, she described both her son and their entire family grappling with the sudden life-altering trauma.
“He wants us to let him die, and I’m like, ‘I can’t do that,’” Robin said tearfully. “By the grace of God, Will is gonna get better, and I’m hoping he’s able to walk again someday.”
This tragic injury during a highly anticipated, adrenaline-fueled spring festival event in Alaska is a sobering reminder of the risks extreme sports athletes face nationwide, including winter sports enthusiasts in with Ohio’s ski communities closely watching. The incident draws urgent attention to safety protocols and emergency readiness at such competitions across the United States.
