The family of an Australian woman who died in a ski lift accident in Japan have remembered their “beautiful girl” as someone who kept others safe as tributes pour in for the 22-year-old “vibrant spirit”.
The Queensland snowboarder Brooke Day sustained critical injuries on Friday after her backpack was caught in a ski lift at Tsugaike Mountain resort in Otari, near Nagano.
Day had been disembarking the lift when an unfastened waist belt buckle on her pack became hooked.
The entanglement caused Day to be dragged along the snow and suspended in mid-air, the resort said.
An attendant pressed the emergency button, and Day was taken to hospital after suffering what appeared to be a cardiac arrest. Day did not survive.
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On Tuesday afternoon, Day’s family described her as an advanced snowboarder who was known among her peers as the “safe one”. It was her fourth snow season in Japan and she was trained in avalanche rescue.
“To keep herself and her friends safe, Brooke was wearing [an] Avalanche Rescue backpack on Friday,” the family said in a statement. “Tragically, it was the Avalanche Rescue backpack that got caught on the ski lift”.
“We were at Brooke’s side when she passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday morning, Australian time.
“We would also like to thank her friends who rendered her assistance in her time of need, and stayed with her until we arrived in Japan”, they said.
They asked for privacy so “we can bring our beautiful daughter home”.
On Tuesday, Maroochydore Roos AFL Club posted a tribute to Day, describing her as “a talented young football player and cherished team mate” who was “always a positive and vibrant part of the group”.
“Brooke played with the Roos over her junior and senior football years,” it read.
“She was always a positive and vibrant part of the group, always had a smile on her face and despite various set backs she never brought her disappointments to the side.”
The post continued that Day had “recently taken a step back” from AFL due to injury and was “working and enjoying time in Japan” at the time of the accident.
“Coaching this beautiful little pocket rocket was a pleasure,” Kelly Louise Loe commented on the AFL club’s post.
Rach Crack said: “She was sweet, caring, and never gave up … It was a privilege to have played alongside her.”
AFL Masters Queensland, Noosa Tigers AFC and the Mountain Creek Junior Australian Football Club also expressed their condolences in the comments.
Alex Surf Club on the Sunshine Coast also posted a tribute to Day on Tuesday, describing her as “a deeply valued and cherished part of our café team”.
“Brooke brought so much more than her hard work to the workplace – her infectious sense of humour, kindness, and vibrant spirit had a way of lighting up every room she entered.
“Brooke’s sparkle, warmth, and the joy she shared so freely will never be forgotten. She will always hold a special place in our hearts and within our club.”
In a statement, Tsugaike Gondola Lift Co, which operates the ski lifts at the resort, said: “We would like to express our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and pray for the repose of their souls …
“We sincerely apologise to all involved parties and to all those who regularly use our ski resort for the great concern and inconvenience caused.”
The company continued that it would fully cooperate with investigations and “take concrete measures to prevent recurrence, such as strengthening our safety management system”.
In a statement on Monday, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said 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 spokesperson said.
