Christchurch ice skating rink tragedy: Girl, 13, reportedly has ‘unsurvivable’ head injury after accident on school outing

The family of a teenage girl left with an “unsurvivable” head injury after an ice-skating accident on a school trip is questioning why helmets are not required at the sports centre where the accident occurred.

The girl reportedly suffered an “unsurvivable” head injury after an ice-skating accident at Alpine Ice Sports Centre in Christchurch yesterday.

The 13-year-old girl, Kymani, was transported to Christchurch Hospital in a critical condition on Tuesday morning.

Kymani’s uncle, Justin Tusa, told Stuff he was questioning whether the skating rink was “just waiting for this to happen”.

“There’s been talk for years about getting helmets, but it’s never happened,” Tusa told Stuff.

A Givealittle page has been set up to support the family.

The page said while on a school excursion, Kymani fell “sustaining an unsurvivable head injury”.

13-year-old Kymani sustained critical injuries while ice skating on a school trip. Photo / Givealittle

“This is a parent’s worst nightmare - sending your child to school and to never return home,” it said.

“Her parents, brothers, sisters and whanau are devastated. Kymani was a beautiful girl only 13 years old. As this is an unexpected tragedy any funds would be gratefully appreciated and will go towards preparing for what comes next. Aroha nui Hiley-Hetaraka whanau.”

The page was created by the girl’s grandmother, Tina Hiley, her great aunt Lannie Belle and her aunty Joanne Tusa.

Haeata Community Campus, where the girl went to school, said their thoughts are with the whānau after the accident which happened during an Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) trip.

“We understand that many whānau and ākonga will be affected by this uncertainty and by this tragedy,” said school principal Peggy Burrows.

“The school has not received official confirmation of the student’s health status and so cannot make any comment at this time.

“We will update our school community as soon as we have an official notification.”

The Ministry of Education released a statement this morning which said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic news and our thoughts are with the family and school community. Our traumatic incident team is available to support the school for as long as needed.”

The ice rink is closed again today and released a statement to the Herald, speaking of their collective heartbreak.

“Further to yesterday’s events, Alpine’s staff, management and directors, alongside our wider skating community are heartbroken to learn from media reports that Kymani’s injuries are not survivable,” it said.

“Our thoughts are with Kymani’s whanau at this unimaginable time.

“Alpine has again closed our facility today in respect of Kymani and her whanau.”

On Tuesday morning, emergency services rushed to the scene on Brougham St at the Alpine Ice Sports Centre just after 11am.

The sports centre told the Herald the victim was injured while skating and assisted on-site by emergency services.

“We can confirm that an incident occurred during our public skating session today,” it said.

“Alpine shall remain closed for the remainder of the day and our thoughts are with the family at this time.”

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said they received a call at 11.03am.

“Two ambulances and a rapid response vehicle responded to the scene and treated and transported one patient to Christchurch Hospital in a critical condition,” they said.

A police spokesperson said WorkSafe has been advised and inquiries are ongoing.