An Olympic figure skater has been killed after an out-of-control truck rammed her car – but her baby, who was also in the vehicle at the time, survived.
Alexandra Paul, 31, was waiting in a line of traffic with her son Charlie during construction work on a road just outside Melanchthon, Ont., on Tuesday when a tractor-trailer drove into the construction zone and rammed the parked cars, killing her. .
The Ontario Provincial Police said the truck did not slow down and collided with seven vehicles traveling on the road.
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Paul was pronounced dead at the scene.
She competed in a duet segment of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia alongside Mitchell Islam, with the pair placing eighteenth. Subsequently, Paul trained as a lawyer.
Her partnership with Islam was also romantic, with the couple wed in September 2021 and welcoming baby Charlie soon after.
Alexandra Paul, 31, her husband and former skating partner, Mitchell Islam, and their baby boy are pictured in a family photo, who died in a fatal accident on Tuesday afternoon.
Charlie, who was in the backseat at the time of the crash, was taken to a children’s hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Three other people were injured, including a 45-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man, who were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A 67-year-old man, who had to be extricated from his vehicle by rescuers, was airlifted to a Toronto-area trauma center and was seriously injured. The Canadian Press reported.
After the crash, County Road 124 was closed for nearly 10 hours so police could investigate. No charges have been filed against the driver of the truck, who has not been named.
The pair are pictured competing in the Figure Skating Ice Dance Short Dance on day 9 of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Socchi, Russia.
The crash happened on country road 124 around 3 p.m. Tuesday in Melancthon Township, Ont. Authorities said the tractor-trailer entered the construction zone and rammed into the line of vehicles waiting on the roadway.
Paul competed in the 2014 Olympics alongside his skating partner, Mitchell Islam.
The duo teamed up in 2009 and won the junior ice dance title at the Canadian National Championships. A year later, they won a silver medal at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
Paul and Islam won bronze at nationals in 2011, 2014 and 2015 during their senior careers, according to Skate Canada.
They have also won four medals in international competitions, including bronze at the 2016 US Classic International.
Paul continued his studies and obtained his law degree. She was working as an associate attorney at Barriston Law at the time of her death.
The couple were partners on the ice and in life
News of Paul’s untimely passing was devastating to the skating community.
On Friday, Skate Canada released a statement remembering Paul as a “shining star on and off the ice whose dedication, passion and talents have left a mark on the world of figure skating.”
“Her commitment to excellence was matched only by her warmth and kindness, which endeared her to fellow athletes, coaches and fans,” the statement read.
“As we remember Alexandra’s contributions to sport, we also reflect on the camaraderie and sportsmanship she displayed. She was not only an accomplished athlete, but also a true role model for budding skaters, demonstrating the values of resilience, perseverance and sporty conduct.
The law firm was also shocked by his death. They told CTV News that the young lawyer was “a kind and curious person with a cheerful personality and an intense passion for her work and her family.”
“Alex came to us first as a summer student, then articled with us, then practiced with us as a young lawyer following her call to the Bar in 2021,” said Joanne McPhail, Managing Partner of the firm, in a press release.
“She was a valued member of our team and a close friend to many of us. She attended our company golf tournament last week and was very excited about her future, as were we.
A GoFundMe set up to help Islam cope with the “daunting reality of raising Charlie as a widowed father”. He raised $146,000 on Saturday morning.
The fundraiser says, “As a Canadian success story is tragically cut short, Alex will be remembered as a passionate and determined young woman who could light up any room she walked into.
“She was not only kind, educated, witty and determined, but Alex was also a fixture in the international figure skating community, representing Canada at the Olympics. Most importantly, Alex will be remembered as a loving daughter, sister, wife and mother to Charlie.
