British skier dies after plunging 'several dozen metres' off a cliff while going off-piste
13 February 2023, 07:05
A British man has died following a fall in which he tumbled 'several dozen metres' after skiing off piste in France.
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The man, 50, suffered serious injuries including several multiple fractures, according to resort operator Meribel Alpina.
Mountain rescuers and a helicopter scrambled to the area but the skier suffered a cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead within 15 minutes of the incident.
Witnesses who saw the accident described a man "taking off" into the air at high speeds before coming down to earth on an area covered with rocks.
The witnesses are said to be shocked by the incident, and are receiving psychological support.
Police have launched an investigation into the man's death, but have said they think it was caused by the high speed at which he was travelling.
The accident took place in the Saulire sector of Meribel, where the world skiing championships are currently taking place.
It comes after a 21-year-old American skier died in the Upper Savoie mountains near Chamonix, after a 200-metre fall.
The French National Mountain Safety Observation System recorded 12 deaths in the 2021/2022 skiing season, the Times reported.
Some 45,000 people were treated for injuries, while emergency services attended 50,000 incidents in total.
