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19-year-old AUB student killed in Lebanon ski accident

19-year-old Melanie Freiha (right) was a student at the American University of Beirut. (Facebook photo)

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — 19-year-old Melanie Freiha died in a tragic ski accident at the Kfardebian ski slopes on Sunday.

Freiha, a first-year civil engineering student at the American University of Beirut (AUB), died during surgery at Saint George Hospital in Ajaltoun.

LBCI reports that she suffered serious injuries to her ribs and spleen.

Her funeral service will be held Tuesday at 3 p.m. at St. Nicolas Church in Achrafieh. She will be laid to rest in her hometown Makseh, in the eastern district of Zahle.

College Notre-Dame de Jamhour, Freiha’s high school, posted a statement on its website announcing that grade 12 students will be dismissed at 12:10 so they can participate in the funeral service.

AUB also announced it would host a memorial service at the Bechtel Engineering Building on Tuesday at noon.

Freiha was a member of her school’s running team and a leader of its scouts.

“She was full of life, joy and smiles,” wrote one of her friends on Facebook. “I am proud to have met her and known her.”

The Lebanese Forces released a statement mourning Freiha, who was a member of its student group at AUB and the niece of Milad Freiha, the party leader in Makseh.

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