A small town in northern Italy is mourning the death of 15-year-old figure skater Matilda Ferrari, who was struck and killed by a cement mixer while walking to school Monday morning. The accident happened in Val Rendena, Trentino, as she crossed State Road 239 near her home. Reports say she was heading to a bus stop when the truck hit her in the crosswalk.
Emergency teams and firefighters arrived within minutes and worked alongside paramedics in a desperate effort to save her. A helicopter was called in, but the injuries were too severe. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her parents arrived soon after and were met with the devastating news.
Authorities are still investigating the crash. Early information suggests the driver may have been going through a green light when the collision occurred. He is being treated and will be questioned by investigators.
Ferrari’s hometown of Giustino is in shock. The mayor said: “We are deeply shaken, our town of Giustino has lost one of its brightest stars.” Her school quickly arranged counseling for her classmates, many of whom had trained with her for years.
She was a dedicated skater who trained at the Sporting Ghiaccio Pinzolo Artistico e Ritmico club, spending long hours refining her routines. Videos online show her graceful performances and the discipline that made her stand out among her peers.
Massimo Caola, president of the local skating association, said: “Matilda dreamed of one day reaching the Olympics. That dream showed in the dedication she poured into every performance, even when she battled through knee pain. She nevertheless succeeded in reaching the podium in her division. She was a remarkable skater with an equally remarkable family supporting her.”
Tributes have poured in from across the skating world. Her death comes just days after another young skater, 18-year-old Julia Marie Gaiser of Austria, died in a similar accident after being hit by a truck while cycling.
The tragedy has reignited discussions about pedestrian safety for students and young athletes in northern Italy. For the people of Giustino, though, it is much more personal. They lost a young woman who many believed was destined for greatness.
