An investigation is under way after a British woman died after a “violent collision” on a ski slope in south-east France.
The woman, 62, experienced traumatic shock and died shortly after the collision, according to the French news outlet Le Dauphiné Liberé. Ski patrollers, an emergency doctor and teams from Courchevel ski resort were unable to resuscitate her.
A 35-year-old man, also said to be a British national, was stationary at the time on the piste and suffered a broken leg. He was taken to a local hospital in the region, reports said.
The incident occurred at the Les Arcs resort in Savoie on Tuesday morning, according to reports. The British woman was skiing on the black slope of the Aiguille Rouge mountain when she hit the man, who was stationary on the same run.
An investigation to determine the precise circumstances of the accident is under way, local prosecutor Benoît Bachelet told the AFP news agency. Black runs are very difficult slopes, intended for expert skiers and snowboarders. Both victims were reportedly wearing helmets.
According to Domaines Skiables de France, the association that represents ski area operators in France, there is an average of approximately 10 deaths per year on French slopes.
The Foreign Office has been approached for comment.
