British ski tourer killed in Zermatt

19th April 2010, by Chris Gill

Schwartzor, Zermatt

A British ski tourer has died in Zermatt, following an avalanche on Sunday 18 April.

As reported in a Swiss news bulletin (24-Heures.ch) on Sunday 18 April, a guided party of ski tourers – including the 34-year old Brit –  was caught in an avalanche near the Col Schwartzor above Zermatt.

The group were making their way towards the Cabane du Mont Rosa when they triggered a slab avalanche on north-facing slopes. Two skiers were swept away in the slide, one survived with minor injuries but the other was buried.

The buried man, who was British but lived in France, was located by the team quickly but they were unable to revive him.

There will, of course, be a full investigation into the accident – though it is reported that all members of the group were properly equipped with transceivers and other safety devices.

• zermatt
• avalanche

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