No changes made to Hinckley sledding hill following grave accidents

by Melissa Martin

Winter weather may be on the verge of disappearing, but this year’s sledding season will likely have a longer-lasting impact on the memories of area residents for years to come.

Following two back-to-back accidents at the Hinckley Reservation sledding hill the weekend of Feb. 20 – which left one area teenager dead and another partially paralyzed – the need for improved safety measures on the sledding hill is being called into question.

Hinckley Fire Chief Jestin Grossenbaugh, a 24-year member of the department, said in the days following the event that he’s been on several calls to the hill over the years for everything from broken bones to cuts and scrapes. The severity of the injuries his department witnessed this year, however, were a first.

On Feb. 20, 14-year-old Eirelyn Zuercher, of Akron, sustained a detrimental brain injury following a trip down the snow-covered slopes. According to reports, the conditions on the hill were unusually icy that afternoon causing sleds to speed up as they descended. Zuercher is believed to have crashed headfirst into a tree and was transported to the hospital where she was placed on life support and died four days later.

Coincidentally, Zuercher’s father, Jared, 40, passed away at the hospital the night Eirelyn was transported after suffering a heart attack.

The following afternoon, Natalie Wilson, 17, of Medina, was transported to Cleveland’s MetroHealth Medical Center after the sled she and a friend were riding on began to spin out of control near the bottom of the hill. According to the girl’s family, the sled hit a patch of ice and veered toward the nearby tree line. Just before crashing, the sled’s second passenger was ejected.

Wilson, however, wasn’t as lucky. She broke two spinal vertebrae, six ribs and is now paralyzed from the chest down. After enduring multiple surgeries to repair damage to her spinal cord and internal organs in the days immediately following the accident, she remains hospitalized.

Doctors have told Wilson’s family they are “cautiously optimistic” she’ll make at least a partial recovery and could even walk again in time. In either case, the road to recovery is likely a long one. A GoFundMe account has been established in her name to assist her family – which includes nine siblings – with medical expenses. To date, more than $26,100 has been raised.

Wilson’s father, Jim, has asked officials from Cleveland Metroparks to consider taking new safety precautions at the hill next winter to prevent similar accidents in the future. His recommendation is to place a wall of hay bales along the perimeter of the trees.

“I believe that would have prevented my daughter’s accident for sure,” Wilson said.

Though Cleveland Metroparks, which operates Hinckley Reservation, closed the hill temporarily following Wilson’s accident, it was reopened to the public just days after as the ice and snow melted. Agency officials have yet to indicate whether new safety measures will be taken next year as a result of the girls’ accidents.

In a statement, Cleveland Metroparks officials indicated they continue to explore safety issues associated with the hill.

“Our thoughts are with the families impacted by the sledding incidents that occurred over the weekend. We are looking into the incidents and the circumstances around these tragic events,” said Jacqueline Gerling, director of communications for the Cleveland Metroparks.

The park district has not responded to further questions seeking comment as to whether plans are in place to modify or close the hill next winter. ∞