A small Italian town is mourning the sudden loss of 15-year-old Matilda Ferrari, a rising figure skating talent who was struck and killed by a cement mixer while on her way to school Monday morning.

The deadly accident happened in Val Rendena, Trentino, as Ferrari attempted to cross State Road 239 near her home. Local reports say the teen was heading toward a bus stop when the truck, belonging to the Cunaccia construction company, hit her in the crosswalk. Authorities are still reviewing the circumstances, but early accounts suggest the driver may have been proceeding through a green light when the collision occurred.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene within minutes. A helicopter was dispatched, and paramedics worked alongside firefighters and local doctors in a desperate attempt to save the teenager. Despite their efforts, Ferrari succumbed to severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her parents arrived shortly after, only to be confronted with the heartbreaking news.

The driver of the cement mixer is being treated by medical staff and will be interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.

Ferrari’s passing has left a deep wound in her hometown of Giustino, where she was admired both as an athlete and as a member of the community. Mayor Manuel Cosi expressed his sorrow, stating, “We are deeply shaken… our town of Giustino has lost one of its brightest stars.”

Her school in Tione immediately put counseling services in place for her grieving classmates, many of whom trained and studied alongside her daily.

Ferrari trained at the Sporting Ghiaccio Pinzolo Artistico e Ritmico skating club, where she dedicated countless hours to refining her routines. Videos and photos on social media reveal the poise and talent that earned her recognition well beyond her region.

Massimo Caola, president of the local skating association, remembered Ferrari not only for her ability on the ice but also for her drive to succeed. “Matilda dreamed of one day reaching the Olympics. That dream showed in the dedication she poured into every performance, even when she battled through knee pain,” he said. “She nevertheless succeeded in reaching the podium in her division.” She was a remarkable skater with an equally remarkable family supporting her.”

Tributes continue to pour in as Italy’s sports world grapples with the loss of another promising young athlete. Just last week, 18-year-old Austrian figure skater Julia Marie Gaiser was killed in a separate accident after being struck by a truck while cycling.

Ferrari’s sudden death has sparked fresh conversations in northern Italy about pedestrian safety near school routes, especially for young athletes who often train and travel before and after class. For Giustino, however, the tragedy feels personal. The town lost more than just a student—it lost a young woman many believed was destined for greatness.

Sources: The U.S. Sun