An Australian schoolgirl has died while on a family holiday at a Japanese ski resort.
Eight-year-old Chloe Jeffries from the Gold Coast in Queensland was riding a snowmobile in the Hakuba Valley, in the northwest of Nagano prefecture, on Saturday when it rolled, fatally injuring her.
She was given first aid at the scene and transported to hospital by helicopter, but could not be revived, travel company Hakuba Lion Adventure said in a statement.
“The snowmobile tour was conducted with a total of nine snowmobiles, including three guides,” the company said. “During the tour, near an uphill curve along a forest road, the snowmobile … rode up on to the embankment at the side of the trail.”
“The vehicle subsequently overturned. As a result of the overturn, the passenger riding tandem on the snowmobile became trapped beneath the vehicle.”
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The tour company said it would suspend all snowmobile and snowshoe tours until further notice as it conducts a review of its offerings and safety procedures. It said it is working closely with the police and other authorities to investigate the death.
“We sincerely and deeply apologise for the great concern and distress caused to all parties concerned and to our customers,” the company said in a statement.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Wednesday morning it was providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Japan.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” the agency said in a statement.
The Hakuba Valley sits at the base of the northern Japanese Alps. The region hosted the 1998 Winter Olympic Games.
The South Coast Netball Association paid tribute to Chloe on Tuesday afternoon.
“Chloe was a very special part of our South Coast netball family. She was known for her beautiful nature, her cheeky, infectious smile, and the joy she brought simply by being herself. Chloe had a way of brightening the courts and the people around her,” the association said in a social media post.
“Above all, Chloe was her big sister Hallee’s biggest supporter, always cheering from the sidelines, full of pride, encouragement and love.”
Chloe’s is the fourth Australian death in Japan’s snowfields this year.
In February, 27-year-old Melbourne man Michael Hurst died while skiing in Niseko. Queensland snowboarder, Brooke Day, died in January after her avalanche rescue backpack became caught in a chairlift. Earlier that month, Brisbane teenager Ryan Pribadi reportedly died while skiing in Niseko.
