Abbotsford, B.C. student dies during Whistler ski trip
MEI secondary ski & snowboard club member went missing Friday
MEI Secondary school in Abbotsford, B.C. confirms that one of its student has died during a ski trip to Whistler.
The Mennonite Educational Institute says 11 students and two staff members had travelled to the resort with the school's ski and snowboard club when a student was reported missing on Friday.
"That afternoon, MEI was notified that one student was missing which resulted in a search by Whistler personnel," said MEI administrator Vijay Manuel.
Members of the group were supposed to report in at 3 p.m. PT, but didn't.
" At that point Whistler personnel began searching...then late last night we received word that he had been found and he was deceased," said Manuel.
He did not say how the student died.
"I'd really want to protect the family."
The school was open on Saturday as grief counsellors were brought in for classmates and staff.
"People are here today out of love and respect for him and his family," said Manuel.
"It's just the community coming together and supporting each other — it's a show of love."
With files from Deborah Goble