Jack Street started skiing at age 5, and at 18 years old he was a seasoned skier when he joined the Nipmuc Regional High School Ski Team.

His first practice with the team was Wednesday night, and his mother snapped a photo of him moments before he took to the slopes at Ski Ward in Shrewsbury. Her son, known as a gentle giant, sported a broad grin as he held his skis. Attached to the photo was the message, “Let the racing begin.”

Shortly after that photo was taken, Mr. Street apparently suffered a seizure and died after falling about 30 feet from a chairlift, despite what witnesses say was a desperate attempt by a teammate to keep him from falling.Mr. Street landed face-down on the hard ground below the lift. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital after first responders found him unconscious under the lift about 6:45 p.m., according to Fire Capt. Mark Mann.

Among the first responders at the scene were Ski Ward patrollers, Ski Ward owner John LaCroix, and the Nipmuc Ski Team coach, Dr. Joseph M. Pugleasa. Dr. Pugleasa, who specializes in orthopedics and sports medicine, administered CPR, Mr. LaCroix said. Mr. Street was pronounced dead at UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus in Worcester. An autopsy is planned.

Mr. Street's death has left not only his family and friends grief-stricken, but an entire school district as well.

“It was overwhelming. Many of the students knew (about the death) coming in to school this morning, in the age of Facebook,” Joseph P. Maruszczak, superintendent of the Mendon-Upton Regional School District, said. He had logged on to Mr. Street's Facebook page about 10:30 Wednesday night and saw more than a 100 postings already mourning his death.

“It's a very subdued mood in the school. There is very much a sense of shock for all of us trying to comprehend this, but it is incomprehensible. It's the sum of all of our fears as parents, teachers and educators,” he said.

The Nipmuc Regional High School ski team was formed last year. The small team — seven students and the coach — was at its first practice of the year Wednesday night, preparing for the first race in the Central Mass. Ski Conference League yesterday. That race was canceled.

Mr. Maruszczak, who was appointed superintendent in July, said that to the best of his knowledge, Mr. Street did not have any known health conditions, and had to get medical clearance before joining the ski team.

Mr. Street's family — father Jim Street, mother Tracey Street, and younger brother, Owen — declined to speak to the media yesterday at their 5 Kensington Lane home, but released a statement saying, “(Jack) was an 18-year-old boy with a heart of gold and a passion for skiing beyond all else. He loved his family fiercely, particularly his brother Owen. He was a ‘gentle giant' who had an amazing smile and a loud laugh. Jack had tremendous clarity in his viewpoints and loved to argue about politics, religion and social issues. Although yesterday was his first day on a ski team, he has spent every winter since age 5 skiing at every opportunity and died doing what he loved.”

The family added that Mr. Street was a sports fan, organizing fantasy leagues and endlessly critiquing his favorite teams.

“Jack's circle of friends included every generation and they will all miss him tremendously,” the statement concluded.

Dr. Pugleasa, the team's coach, referred all questions to the school district.

Mr. Maruszczak said many of the faculty and staff are very emotional about Mr. Street's death, particularly at the Memorial School where he attended elementary school.

“There were a lot of stories shared. He was a very affable young man with an outstanding personality, a great sense of humor, who was planning to go on to much success in college,” Mr. Maruszczak said.

He met with staff at the high school at 6:15 a.m. yesterday, and the high school principal began the day by announcing the tragedy to the students, followed by a moment of silence.

Mr. Maruszczak said all the counselors in the district, as well as counselors from Riverside Community Care, were at the high school to meet with students. Mr. Maruszczak said the focus is now on helping the family through the tragedy.

“We need to come together not only as a school community, but as a community to grieve this loss,” Mr. Maruszczak said.

Ski Ward hosts the practices and races for the Central Massachusetts Ski Conference League. The league teams include Nipmuc, St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic High School in Worcester, St. John's High School, Westboro High School, Algonquin Regional High School, Shrewsbury High School, Notre Dame Academy, Hopedale-Millis and Wachusett Regional High School.

According to the company's website, Ski Ward Ski Area, once known as Ward Hill Ski Area, has been in operation since 1939 and is one of the oldest continuously operating ski/snowboard areas in the country.

Mr. LaCroix, the owner, said the family and Ski Ward staff are shaken by the accident, and extended his condolences to the Street family.

“As a family-operated place, I am here with my children all the time. Both of my children were on the hill last night (Wednesday) as well. This really hits home,” Mr. LaCroix said.

He said he has been operating Ski Ward for 22 years, and hosts 10,000 skiers annually, and has never had an accident such as this.

The lift has a bar, which was down at the time of the accident. There is no foot-rest attached to the bar. The ride to the top is only about two-and-a-half minutes, Mr. LaCroix said, and the accident happened about a third of the way up the hill.

Mr. LaCroix said the state Department of Public Safety was at Ski Ward yesterday inspecting the equipment, as is the protocol after an accident, and found nothing out of place.

Mr. LaCroix added that Ski Ward has conducted an internal investigation as well.

“The LaCroix Family and the Ski Ward staff are all really upset about this,” Mr. LaCroix said. “I really just want to reach out to the family at this time, especially having teenaged kids myself. This is just really hard.”

Ski Ward posted a message on its webpage, reading, “On the evening of January 4th, a member of the Nipmuc High School Race Team apparently suffered a medical emergency and then fell from the chairlift. It saddens us to have learned that the racer has passed away. As a family operated ski area, this tragedy is close to our hearts. Please join the Ski Ward family in giving our heartfelt thoughts, prayers and support to his family and friends during this difficult time.”