Avalanche on the Grande Ruine

Two Grenoble based skiers have been hit by a small slab avalanche on the Grande Ruine in the Ecrins. One of the men was knocked off his feet by the slide and fell, seriously injuring his back. The accident occurred at around 3000 meters altitude at 9h20. A third skier descended to the Refuge Alpe de Villar d’Arene to give the alert. The injured man was transported to hospital in Grenoble by a CRS helicopter dispatched from its base in Briançon.

In the Savoie two ski tourers have been killed in separate incidents.

The first occured close to the border with the Isère. At 8h30 a group four skiers were descending the north face of the 2,734 meter Cime du Sambuis when one of the group lost his grip on an icy section. He slide some 300 meters. Despite efforts by rescue workers the 33 year old man, a resident of nearby Grenoble, died at the scene. The route is popular at this time of year as it can be accessed directly from the Glandon road pass. A local skier died after falling on the nearby Grand Lance de Domène in March.

At midday a group were crossing a cornice on a ridge leading to the 3,372 meter Pointe du Vallonnet near Pralognan in the Vanoise mountains when it gave way. A man and woman were caught when the ice structure collapsed. The woman managed to stop her fall but the man fell 700 meters on to rocks.

cg38/dl/gg

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