Calgary student killed while climbing volcano in Ecuador

CALGARY- A promising young student from the University of Calgary is being remembered, following her tragic death in Ecuador.

22-year-old Danielle Kendall was killed while climbing the Cotopaxi volcano. She was with a guided group, when a large piece of ice fell down on her.

Kendall was a decorated member of the university’s track and field team.

“Danielle was an outstanding athelete,” says Ben Matchett, spokesperson for University of Calgary Dinos Athletics. “That culminated into winning the national championship with the team in track and field this year, so I know the team and whole university community is pretty shocked.”

Kendall was set to graduate with a degree in chemical engineering next week.

The family issued a statement on Tuesday thanking everyone for their support:

The Kendall family wishes to thank all those who have expressed their sympathies and condolences on the passing of our daughter Danielle early Sunday morning as a result of a tragic accident on Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador. Our focus is currently on recovering Danielle’s body from Ecuador and we will announce plans for services at the end of the week. We are touched by and appreciate all the support from family, friends, neighbours, team-mates, classmates, co-workers and officials both in Canada and Ecuador in our time of grief.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: The Kendall family wishes to thank all those who have expressed their sympathies and condolences on the passing of our daughter Danielle early Sunday morning as a result of a tragic accident on Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador. Our focus is currently on recovering Danielle's body from Ecuador and we will announce plans for services at the end of the week. We are touched by and appreciate all the support from family, friends, neighbours, team-mates, classmates, co-workers and officials both in Canada and Ecuador in our time of grief.