Alexandra Paul dead: Olympic figure skater, 31, dies in Canada pile-up that baby son Charlie survived
An Olympic figure skater was killed after an out-of-control truck crashed into her car, but her infant son, who was also in the vehicle at the time, survived.
Alexandra Paul, 31, was waiting in line with her son Charlie during construction work on a road just outside Melancthon, Ontario, on Tuesday when a tractor-trailer drove into the construction area and crashed into parked cars, killing her. .
Ontario Provincial Police said the truck failed to slow down and collided with seven vehicles that were on the road.
(performance sport)
Paul was pronounced dead at the scene.
She competed with Mitchell Islam in a duo segment of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, with the couple finishing eighteenth. Paul then trained as a lawyer.
Her partnership with Islam was also romantic: the couple married in September 2021 and welcomed baby Charlie soon after.
Alexandra Paul, 31, and her husband and former skating partner Mitchell Islam and baby boy are pictured in a family photo and died in a fatal crash Tuesday afternoon
Charlie, who was in the back seat at the time of the impact, was transported to a children’s hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Three others were injured, including a 45-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man, who were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A 67-year-old man, who had to be freed from his vehicle by emergency responders, was airlifted to a trauma center in the Toronto area with serious injuries. Canadian press reported.
Following the accident, 124 County Road was closed for nearly ten hours for police to investigate. No charges have been filed against the driver of the truck, who has not been named.
The couple is pictured competing in the Figure Skating Ice Dance Short Dance on Day 9 of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Socchi, Russia
The accident happened around 3 p.m. on Tuesday at 124 Country Road in the township of Melancthon, Ontario. Officials said the tractor entered the construction zone and crashed into the queue of vehicles waiting on the roadway
Paul competed in the 2014 Olympic Games with her skating partner Mitchell Islam.
The pair teamed up in 2009 and won the junior ice dance title at the Canadian National Championships. A year later, they brought home a silver medal at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
According to Skate Canada, Paul and Islam won bronze at the national championships in 2011, 2014 and 2015 during their senior careers.
They also won four medals in international competitions, including bronze at the 2016 US Classic International.
Paul continued her studies and obtained her law degree. At the time of her death, she was practicing law at Barriston Law.
The couple were partners on the ice and in life
The news of Paul’s untimely death was devastating to the skating community.
On Friday, Skate Canada released a statement remembering Paul as a “shining star on and off the ice whose dedication, passion and talents have left a mark on the figure skating world.”
“Her dedication to excellence was matched only by her warmth and friendliness, endearing her to fellow athletes, coaches and fans alike,” the statement read.
“When we remember Alexandra’s contributions to the sport, we also reflect on the camaraderie and sportsmanship she displayed. She was not only an accomplished athlete, but also a true role model for aspiring skaters, demonstrating the values of resilience, perseverance and athleticism.”
The law firm was equally shocked by her death. They told CTV News that the young lawyer was “a friendly, curious person with a fun-loving personality and an intense passion for her work and family.”
“Alex initially joined us as a summer student, then worked with us and then practiced with us as a young attorney following her call to the bar in 2021,” Joanne McPhail, managing partner at the firm, said in a statement.
“She was a valued member of our team and a good friend to many of us. She attended our corporate golf tournament last week and, like us, was full of excitement about her future.”
Set up a GoFundMe to help Islam through the “terrifying reality of raising Charlie as a widowed father.” It raised $146,000 Saturday morning.
The fundraiser says, ‘As a Canadian success story is tragically cut short, Alex will be remembered as a passionate, determined young lady who could light up every room she entered.
“Not only was she kind, educated, witty and determined, but Alex was also an important part of the international figure skating community representing Canada in the Olympics. Most of all, Alex will be remembered as a loving daughter, sister, wife and mother to Charlie.”