Astoria, Ore. — An 18-year-old woman died Thursday afternoon in a tragic sledding accident in rural Dundee, Oregon, the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. The incident occurred when the young woman, identified as Lily Vanderhoff of Newberg, was being pulled behind an ATV on a sled.
Vanderhoff, a recent graduate of Newberg High School, was reportedly enjoying a day of sledding with friends when the accident took place. According to Sheriff Sam Elliott, the sled unexpectedly drifted further out than intended, leading to the tragic crash.
“The sled just kind of drifted further out from where they intended for it to be,” Sheriff Elliott explained in an interview with KATU.
Deputies responded immediately to the scene, but despite their quick arrival, emergency responders were unable to save Vanderhoff. She was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severity of her injuries.
“It was just unfortunate that the extent of the injuries were so severe,” Sheriff Elliott said.
Investigators are continuing to look into the cause of the accident, working to reconstruct the incident in an effort to understand all contributing factors. As of now, the sheriff’s office has not released further details.
The death of Vanderhoff has shaken the Newberg community, where she was known and loved. Family, friends, and local residents are mourning her loss, remembering the young woman who had just begun to embark on the next chapter of her life.
