Prairie Central community struggles after school officials announce 2 student deaths

FAIRBURY — The Prairie Central community is reeling after two local high school students died in Colorado over the weekend.

Prairie Central school district superintendent Paula Crane sent a release notifying parents that two Prairie Central High School students had died in a ski-related accident on Sunday.

The Pontiac Daily Leader reported the victims were seniors Dylan Bazzell and Drew Fehr, both of Fairbury, citing information provided by Crane, local news agencies in Colorado and the Summit County Sheriff's Office.

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"This loss will affect everyone in our school family and in our communities," Crane told parents in the release. "Students may have a difficult time dealing with the loss, and we encourage you to talk with your child."

A press release from the Summit County Sheriff's Office in Breckenridge, Colo., responded to a sledding accident around 8:35 p.m. Sunday at Copper Mountian Ski Resort in Frisco, Colo. Upon arrival, officers found two Illinois males, ages 17 and 18, were deceased.

According to the release, the two teens rode tandem down the half pipe and launched off a large snowbank at the bottom. The teens suffered blunt force trauma when they came down hard on the ice below.

Both males were pronounced dead at the scene after emergency medical services issued immediate medical attention and were unable to revive the teens.

The Summit County Coroner's Office has taken over the investigation into the cause and manner of death. While the investigation remains active, the Summit County Sheriff's Office was unable provide anymore details.

"Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and friends of the individuals involved in this tragic incident," said Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons.

According to the Prairie Central release, the school district teamed up with the First Baptist Church of Fairbury on Monday, offering a place for students to gather, including counseling and prayer. The services began at 10 a.m. and continue throughout the day.

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The church is opening its doors to anyone needing to participate in prayer.

While the school district is on spring break this week, Prairie Central canceled all extracurricular activities for Monday, March 20.

Bazzell is the son of Darin and Lynette Bazzell, while Fehr is the son of Brian and Susan Fehr. Both Lynette Bazzell and Susan Fehr are teachers in the Prairie Central school district, according to Crane.

Dylan Bazzell was an Associated Press first-team all-state basketball selection this season. Bazzell helped Priaire Central post a 31-3 record and claim the No. 1 spot in Class 2A polls. The Hawks basketball team also finished the season Illini Prairie Conference champions and captured a regional title.

Bazzell also played football for a Prairie Central team that went unbeaten in the regular season en route to an Illini Prairie Conference title. Bazzell was a defensive back, kicker and wide receiver for the Hawks, who finished with an 11-1 record after coming up short in the Class 3A quarterfinals.

Drew Fehr was also a starter for the Hawks in basketball, but made his mark with the football team. Fehr was a team captain at running back and linebacker for Prairie Central and was an Illinois High School Football Coaches Association all-state selection in Class 3A.

Fehr led Prairie Central in rushing with 1,439 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was also the team's top tackler with 98.

Chris Sims is a digital producer for the Journal Star. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Colorado ski resort mishap kills 2 Illinois teens, Prairie Central mourns