(Image Source: CTV)

BY JJ BAILEY

ANCHOR CHRISTIAN BRYANT

Tragedy struck the winter sports world Thursday as famed Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke passed away. She was 29 and reportedly died due to injuries she sustained while training in Utah 10 days ago. ABC has more.

“Burke reportedly landed a stunt, then fell over and hit her head. Doctors performed surgery to repair a ruptured cranial artery, but imaging results showed Burke would never recover.”

Burke was put on life support after the accident but her brain damage was too extensive. A four-time gold medalist at the Winter X Games, she waged and won a campaign to get half pipe skiing included in the 2014 Winter Olympics. Fox News says her death may jeopardize that chance.

“Today already talk about Burke's death and other recent injuries in the sport will ignite debate over safety of half pipe competition. But again it was set to debut in the winter Olympics in Russia in 2014.”

Following her death, Burke’s family is left with a staggering medical bill. The family has set up a donation page with the goal of raising $550,000 to cover the cost. USA Today reports the family is asking Sarah’s legions of fans to lend a hand.

“The website notes that Burke's organs and tissues were donated in accordance with her wishes, and adds: ‘Sarah did so much for females and winter sports during her time with us; now we are asking for your help.’”

The site has reportedly raised over $125,000 as of Friday. Burke and her husband, another freestyle skiier, appeared in a Ski Channel documentary about the sport. CNN has the footage of Sarah’s passionate words about her sport, and the joy of being on the mountain.

BURKE: “That’s where we’re the happiest, that’s where we met is on the mountain ... It’s where we play, where we live...”
HUSBAND: “And hopefully where we die”
BURKE: “Where we’ll die...”