Winter sports are supposed to be filled with fun and are a rite of passage for youth.

But for one family near Port Perry, it has turned into a tragic pastime.

A 13-year-old boy is dead and a community in shock after the youngster received fatal injuries during a snowboarding accident.

It happened Thursday afternoon in the small town of Caesarea as the child was attempting to slide down a ramp at a field on Summit Drive.

His best friend watched in horror as the youngster tried a jump on his snowboard but missed the mark and landed on his head some eight feet away. He was knocked unconscious and paramedics were called.

But by the time they reached the scene, the boy had lost his vital signs. Crews kept working on him all the way to hospital, but doctors there pronounced him dead on arrival.

Kyle Lamb was just a few feet away from his own home when the accident occurred. He joins a growing list of young people who have suffered devastating wounds on toboggans and snowboards this year because they weren't wearing a helmet.

His grandfather breaks into tears when he considers what his family has lost.

"Fun loving, enjoyed life, wasn't afraid to try anything," recalls Ted Dymond. "That's the way he should be remembered and I'm sure lots of his classmates will know what I'm talking about." He starts to sob and can't continue.

Durham Police believe Lamb broke his neck when he landed the wrong way. They note the youngster wasn't wearing protective head gear.

"It is under investigation," confirms Sgt. Paul McCurbin. "But obviously we would recommend that someone who is snowboarding or doing other activities wear a helmet."

But Dymond isn't sure it would have changed anything. "Somebody said that he wasn't wearing a helmet. I don't think a helmet would have saved him."

Lamb is described as a boy who was very popular and loved outdoor sports, including snowboarding and skiing. But his passion was hockey.

His relatives are still having trouble processing what happened.

"Parents should go before their kids," Dymond relates. "You should be able to watch them grow up and become what they hopefully become."

While it's hard to imagine anything good coming from such a sad story, Kyle's contributions will live on. His mother decided to donate most of his organs so that other kids can have the chance at life he so sadly lost.

Snowboarding Safety Tips

Don't do it alone.
If you run into any kind of trouble, it's good to have someone there with you who can get help.

Wear a helmet.
The sport is fun and fast, but also slippery and speedy. Protecting your head is the only way to ensure you'll be safe if you wind up making the wrong move.

Use the right one.
A bike helmet isn't made for this kind of activity. Make sure the one you buy from a sporting goods store is.

Don't wear anything under it
A lot of snowboarders listen to MP3 players on the slopes. It not only prevents them from hearing other things going on around them, but the cords can get tangled up on them as they're speeding downhill.

Helmets won't make you invincible
Experts say the lids will help protect you if you're going 20 kilometres an hour or less. But if you hit a tree at full speed, the protection impact is lessened.

Learn how to fall
You're inevitably going to get tossed off the board. There are ways to learn how to fall to prevent serious injuries. Make sure you know them before heading out.

Don't show off
It's tempting to want to display your skills. But fancy moves can sometimes lead to serious injuries. Know what you're doing before you try anything.

Get more info
The National Ski Association has a program called "Lids on Kids," which encourages the use of helmets and can answer questions about fit and what kind to buy. To find out more, click here.

Source: National Ski Assn.