Man hospitalized with serious injuries after frightening accident at popular ski resort

GIRDWOOD, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) - A skier sustained serious injuries over the weekend following a serious accident during a popular ski resort event.

Loved ones said 29-year-old William Ingrim was hospitalized with injuries sustained while participating in Saturday’s pond skim event in the Alaska Airlines Slush Cup at the Alyeska Resort Spring Carnival.

Ingrim’s family says a medical team is working to determine his prognosis following the frightening ordeal.

Video footage captured at the event appears to show Ingrim skiing down the slope leading up to a pool of water, hitting the jump at high speed and crossing almost the entire length of the pool before landing hard near the end.

According to Alaska travel experts, skiers attempt to build up enough speed to skim across an icy pond in the annual Slush Cup event.

Medical personnel staged at the pool could be seen Saturday rushing to Ingrim’s aid in the moments after the crash.

Ingrim’s mother, Robin, said Sunday that her son was stable but in a medically induced coma. She added that he would probably be paralyzed.

Other family members have said Ingrim’s medical status is unknown, but say he is a tough and strong individual.

“It’s a tough time for Will, but he’s a resilient young man. It’s an unimaginable time for his family and friends,” loved ones shared in a statement. “We appreciate all the outpouring of love, prayers and support.”

According to his family, Ingrim is a commercial fisherman. During the winter months, he works as a coach at the Alyeska Ski Club.

Ingrim is one of seven siblings, a brother with six sisters, his family said.

“He’s precious to me,” Robin said about her son. “Will is the nicest young man you know. It’s going to be very hard on all of us.”

As of Sunday, Ingrim’s mother said she has not heard from Alyeska Resort.

Officials with Alyeska have shared that their thoughts are with Ingrim and his family. The resort also stated that the safety of their guests and participants remains their highest priority.

“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 statement from Alyeska spokesperson Bayne Salmon read.