Woman dies of ski injuries

A Westmoreland County woman died Saturday of injuries sustained while skiing at Seven Springs Mountain Resort late last month.

Francine Strane, 52, of Irwin, was skiing down an expert slope at the Somerset County resort shortly before

9 p.m. Jan. 31 when she veered to one side and struck a barrier at the bottom of the hill that separated her slope from an­other, Cambria County Coro­ner Dennis Kwiatkowski said.

The impact caused head injuries and a spinal cord fracture that eventually claimed her life on Saturday at Memorial Medical Center, he said.

Kwiatkowski said Strane was wearing a helmet when she crashed.

Seven Springs officials said they are “deeply saddened by this tragic accident.”

“We have been in constant contact with members of her family since the accident occurred and will continue to do whatever we can to help during this incredibly difficult time,” resort spokeswoman Anna Weltz said. “All of our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to her family, friends and loved ones.”

Strane worked as a nurse for the Penn-Trafford School District, said her husband, Roger Strane, according to an Associated Press report.

Kwiatkowski ruled the death as accidental.

David Hurst is a reporter with The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/tddavidhurst.