Minnesota woman killed by falling ice in Alaska

(KMSP) - A 32-year-old woman died when she was crushed by falling ice while hiking with family in Alaska. 
According to the Alaska State Troopers, Brittany Boegel and others walked under a hollowed-out snow mass that resembled a snow cave at Byron Glacier in Portage Valley. The ceiling collapsed, trapping her and two others. 

Bystanders and family members were able to free Boegel from the ice and began CPR. She was transported by helicopter from the scene, but was later pronounced dead. A man and a six-year-old boy received minor injuries. 

Boegel was a 6th grade math teacher at Venture Academy in Minneapolis. Her colleagues say she was kind and dedicated.  

“She was one of those teachers that was always pushing kids to do more and be more,” said friend and colleague Mike Warner. “She’s irreplaceable. Not just to a school community because schools are buildings that come and go but she was an awesome person to her family and her friends and her students.”

In a statement to Fox 9, Boegel’s family said she died doing what she loved.

"Brittany loved to travel and explore the world and left us doing what she loved. Her mom, dad, and brothers were with her until the very end of her last earthly adventure. We would like to thank the first responders and bystanders that helped us. She was a joy of life that focused on giving back to her family, friends, students, and communities, and we ask that everyone remember Brittany by carrying that forward. As a strong Christian we know she is with her Lord Jesus Christ.”

Boegel was fluent in Spanish and often utilized it when communicating with the majority Hispanic parent population at her school.

“I could see the love she had for teaching, especially the Hispanic community,” said parent Clara Catalan. “She had a vision for all of her kids and was always willing to empower them and for them to know that it didn’t matter where they came from, they could build up on that.”