A 16-year-old girl remains in critical condition following the sledding incident on Sunday, Jan. 25A 17-year-old boy died after his inner tube hit a tree in Arkansas on Saturday, Jan. 24
“We ask the community to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers and to respect their privacy during this difficult time,” said the Saline County Coroner’s Office
A 16-year-old girl died and her friend was critically injured following a similar sledding tragedy in Texas on Sunday, Jan. 25
Two teenagers are dead following separate sledding accidents over the weekend.
On Saturday, Jan. 24, officials responded to reports of an accident at the 8500 block of Shimrod Road in Benton, Ark., NBC affiliate KARK, FOX affiliate WJBK and ABC affiliate KATV reported. A 17-year-old boy had been riding on an inner tube being pulled by a motor vehicle when the tube hit a tree.
The teen, who has not been publicly identified, was found critically injured, according to KATV.
“Emergency responders provided immediate medical assistance; however, despite lifesaving efforts, the juvenile succumbed to his injuries,” authorities told the outlet in a statement.
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A spokesperson for the Saline County Coroner’s Office confirmed that an investigation into the teen’s death is ongoing.
“The Saline County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones affected by this tragic loss,” officials told KATV. “We ask the community to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers and to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
The Saline County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for further comment.
The next day, on Sunday, Jan. 25, a similar tragedy struck in Texas. A teenage girl died in a sledding accident, which also left her friend in a critical condition.
Just before 2:30 p.m. local time, first responders rushed to the scene near Majestic Gardens Drive and Killian Court in Frisco, according to a news release from the Frisco Police Department.
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Two 16-year-old girls had been riding on a sled pulled by a Jeep Wrangler when the sled hit a curb and collided with a tree, officials said. One of the critically injured teens, later identified by loved ones as Elizabeth Angle, died at the hospital.
Her friend, Grace, remains in critical condition, police confirmed to PEOPLE.
Sergeant Thomas, a spokesperson for the Frisco Police Department, said the Denton County District Attorney’s Office will determine if criminal charges will be pursued.
Following the incident, the community has paid tribute to Angle, a soccer player and sophomore at Wakeland High School.
Angle’s parents told CBS affiliate WTVT she was a kind and outgoing girl who left behind two sisters, ages 12 and 18.
Elizabeth Angle
Elizabeth Angle.
Elizabeth Angle/Instagram
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Luis Ramos, coach of FC Dallas club team, said in a Facebook post that Angle was a center back who served as a “calm voice” on the team and “knew what it meant to stand her ground.”
“God called her home not in defeat, but in victory. Still guarding. Still strong. Now standing watch from higher ground,” Ramos wrote. “Elizabeth—our defender. Our teammate. Forever part of us.”
