Police: 19-Year-Old Strikes Tree While Skiing, Dies

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Corcoran family is gathered together trying to absorb what happened to their 19 year old daughter over the weekend.

Bethany Becker was killed in a ski accident in Wabasha over the weekend. She was in cosmetology school after graduating last year from St. Michael-Albertville Senior High School.

Her family tells us the 19 year old had gone to Coffee Mill Ski Area to spend the day skiing with her boyfriend. Her parents say the pair had recently started dating and were excited to spend the day together.

Bethany was skiing on an advanced hill when she lost control and hit a tree.  Officers say she was airlifted and died en route to St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.

Her family is taking time now to grieve together, saying she was a young woman of great integrity and devoted to her Catholic faith.

The athletic young woman was a high school athlete and loyal runner. The superintendent of her former school district released this statement to WCCO:

"The St. Michael-Albertville School District is deeply saddened by the death of former high school student Bethany Becker. Bethany graduated in 2017 and was active in cross country and visual arts. This is a terrible tragedy and we mourn the loss of someone with so much potential. Our counselors are available today and the coming days for students and staff who need support. On behalf of the District, I would like to express our sincere condolences to Bethany's family and friends."