Ont. paramedic killed in Swiss avalanche
A local paramedic who died suddenly while on vacation in Switzerland is being remembered by her colleagues and family as a bright, caring person with a big heart and an adventurous spirit.
Nicole (Nikky) Nagy, 25, was from Waterloo but worked in Perth County.
On April 1, Nicole and her boyfriend were snowboarding when they were both killed in an avalanche.
“You hardly could find such a person with a big heart and a beautiful soul,” said her father George Nagy.
George said Nicole was high energy from childhood, playing rugby and football and spending lots of time outside.
Nikky Nagy in an undated photo. (Courtesy: George Nagy)
“Her nature, she was extremely adventurous. She was a little daredevil,” he explained. “She didn’t care about make-up or girly stuff. She was just an outdoor girl and loved nature and animals and everybody loved her.”
George said becoming a paramedic was Nicole’s calling – something she had wanted to do since high school – and the family was so proud to see her living her dream of helping and caring for people.
Outside of work, Nicole was a non-stop adventurer.
“She wanted to cram so much in her life as possible,” said George. “It was like she knew that she needed to do everything as fast as possible. She was travelling with friends to Japan, to Costa Rica – it was just go, go, go, go.”
Nikky Nagy in two undated photos. (Courtesy: George Nagy)
Paramedic services in mourning
In Perth County, where Nicole worked, flags are flying at half-mast at both the county courthouse and Perth paramedic services headquarters in Stratford
“Nikky was a bright, caring amazing member of our paramedic services community and family and was always eager to help others,” Paramedic Chief Mike Adair said in an interview with CTV News.
“Nikky was a joy to be around and we certainly are mourning her loss.”
Nicole had worked for Perth County as a primary care paramedic since April 2022.
Mike said her colleagues are still trying to come to terms with what happened.
“It’s not something you expect – when someone is going to spend some time away from work and do something they enjoy, as the family had mentioned, snowboarding was one of her favourite things to do. It’s sad news and we are processing that as paramedics services.”
The Chief of the La Ronge Region Fire Department in Saskatchewan also expressed condolences, saying Nicole “brought such joy to everyone who met her and always lifted our spirits even on the hard days.”
Nikky Nagy with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during Truth and Reconciliation Day in La Ronge, Sask. where she spent a summer as a seasonal firefighter. (Courtesy: George Nagy)
Mike said paramedic services will likely plan additional ways to honour Nicole in the coming days and thanked the community for their support.
“That has been something that has been very impactful for our paramedics,” he said.
George said he’s also taking comfort in the outpouring of support and messages he’s received from Nicole’s many friends. He also knows his daughter died doing something she loved in one of her favourite places – the mountains.
“God took her, now she can snowboard with her boyfriend in eternity,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.
BREAKING Police arrest 3 in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
WATCH LIVE Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
Who is Hope Hicks, longtime Trump aide who is testifying in N.Y. hush money case?
Hope Hicks, once a longtime trusted aide in Donald Trump’s inner circle, is testifying Friday in the New York hush money trial after being subpoenaed.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.