UPDATE: Woman injured on ice ribbon is in critical condition, not dead, city now says

The Spokane Parks and Recreation Department has issued a correction and apology after reporting that a woman who was injured in a fall at Riverfront Park’s new ice ribbon – who they originally said had died – was, in fact, in critical condition.

“We are terribly sorry for our error and misinformation. Our deepest thoughts and prayers remain with the family,” said Fianna Dickson, communications manager for Spokane Parks and Recreation, in a news release.

“We will continue to conduct a thorough review of the circumstances around the accident, and of all safety processes and practices. Helmets are being made available today to ice skaters at no cost,” she added in the release.

Witnesses reported the woman had accidentally fallen and struck her head at around 3:15 p.m. Friday, according to incident information from the Spokane Fire Department. Arriving medics transported the woman to a hospital within minutes.

Information from the fire department does not disclose where the woman fell or how she hit her head. The call logs note there was no bleeding, but the woman was not alert or responsive.

The injury comes just two months after the ice ribbon’s grand opening. In its first month, more than 33,000 people visited the rink, 873 of whom bought season passes.

Since opening Dec. 8, the ice ribbon has already beat the 2016 visitor record of Riverfront Park’s now-defunct Ice Palace by 7,000 visitors. Demolition of the roof over the old ice rink is expected to being in March.

Dickson said the ribbon will remain open while an investigation is conducted.