Plane hits a skier in Avoriaz

13th March 2015, by Abi Butcher

Major disaster was narrowly avoided in Avoriaz when a plane careered down the piste

Major disaster was narrowly avoided in the French ski resort of Avoriaz yesterday when a light aircraft aborted take off careered down a blue run, hitting a skier.

The single-propeller, ski-equipped Jodel plane hit a 55-year-old Polish skier on the hand after it failed to take off from a runway near Avoriaz. The pilot — who has been described as “a professional who is used to these conditions” — narrowly avoided a group of children and passed under a chairlift when he unable to stop.

A member of the rescue team called to the scene said “We only narrowly avoided a catastrophe”.

Local public prosecutor Patrick Steinmetz told French news agency AFP: “The plane suddenly appeared behind her and there was virtually no sound. She didn’t hear it.”

The plane had made a stopover in Avoriaz, which is close to the border with Switzerland.

The piste will be closed until the end of the season.

• avoriaz

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