Cologne mourns: Carnival maiden dies in skiing accident in Switzerland

Mourning in Cologne-Esch: The virgin of the Esch trio died in a skiing accident. The carnival parade on Sunday will take place anyway.

A tragic skiing accident has overshadowed the carnival season in Cologne-Esch. The skier who died in the Swiss holiday resort of Arosa last week was the virgin Pasqualina of the Esch trio. The 58-year-old Pasquale Boet succumbed to his injuries in the Graubünden cantonal hospital on the night of last Wednesday, reports the "Express".

The Greesberger Esch village community is in shock. "It is so terrible, it was a very difficult situation," said the first chairwoman Ursula Rändel in an interview with the "Express". The first appearance of the remaining trio last Sunday was particularly emotionally challenging. "We didn't know how to greet the guests and how to convey this message. Luckily a priest came to our aid."

After intensive discussions, Prince Michael I (Michael Radszuweit) and Farmer Irinus (Irina Radszuweit) have decided to finish the session without a virgin and to also take part in the traditional carnival parade on Sunday (March 2). In an open letter they explained: "When you lose someone, it always leaves a painful gap. However, we are happy that Pasquale has been taken to the hearts of the Eschers and that he conveyed cheerfulness and fun as the virgin Pasqualina. He enjoyed his session time and the stage."

The trio would like to carry on in his spirit: "Even if our hearts are sad. He will always be with us, whether in our motto song or as a little Italian in our medley." During the carnival parade, the deceased will "feel" like he is standing on the float.

Those responsible are now considering how they can remember Boeti on the prince's carriage. "Actually, his two daughters should also be on the carriage," said Rändel. "We are facing a difficult situation. But as so often in life, things have to go on somehow."

Boeti, who comes from Nippes, said at the proclamation in January: "It's a great feeling to be in the robes. Two weeks ago, at a reception for the royals without costumes, I felt completely naked."

According to "Express", this is not the only tragedy that the village community has to cope with. A few weeks ago, a girl from the dance group "Escher Mädchen" died after a ten-year battle with cancer.

According to the news agency dpa , Boeti was on a ski slope heading towards the middle station at around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning when he approached a crossing with a pedestrian path. Without any outside influence, he lost control of his skis and fell heavily.

Other skiers and the piste rescue team treated the man at the scene of the accident and resuscitated him. He was flown to hospital by helicopter, where he later died. The Graubünden cantonal police are investigating the exact course of events together with the public prosecutor's office.