American and Briton die in separate sports accidents in French Alps
The American tourist died ‘speed riding’ while the Briton died in a skiing accident. A second Briton also died this week after suffering a heart-attack while skiing
Speed-riders can reach speeds of more than 100km/h. Picture for illustration purposes only
Mihai_Andritoiu / Shutterstock
An American tourist has died following an accident while speed-riding - an extreme sport that combines paragliding and parachuting - in the French Alps on Wednesday (January 31), police have confirmed.
It comes after the deaths of two British tourists at other French stations throughout the week.
A 63-year-old British tourist died at La Plagne ski station in Savoie on Sunday (January 28) after suffering a heart-attack while skiing. A medical team performed cardiac massage but could not save him.
A second British tourist, aged 30, died on Monday while skiing in Serre-Chevalier, near Briançon (Hautes-Alpes). No more details on this have been released.
The speed-riding accident happened in a freeride portion of La Grave ski resort, a station in Oisans between Grenoble (Isère) and Briançon.
The American, 34, is believed to be a Montana native who was visiting with three American friends. He was riding along the couloir de la Voûte, a 2,400 metre-elevated piste combining steep and flat slopes, a local contact told The Connexion.
The couloir de la Voûte is known to be one of the most popular sections for free and speed-riders with speeds of more than 100 km/h often reached.
It is the first death involving speed-riding in La Grave ski station.
An investigation into the cause of the accident is being carried out by the CRS Alpes de Briançon, the detachment police station of Briançon. An autopsy will be performed.
Current ski conditions - and for the coming week - are described as spring-like with ice in the morning but watery in the afternoon.
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