A school group of 15 pupils and their teacher accompanied by a guide and assistant guide have been avalanched in the Vercors around midday today. The avalanche was in the west facing Combe Chaulange under the Cornafion ridge. The slide took out most of the bowl. The guide was completely buried by the avalanche and was rescued by other members of the group.
Another person was also recovered. The third victim, a student aged 17 years, was only located after two hours under the snow by an avalanche rescue dog but was DOA at Grenoble University Hospital. Low cloud stopped the rescue helicopter from reaching the scene of the avalanche and the CRS (specialist mountain police units) had to climb to the slide using skis. According to sources close to the inquiry the deceased was not wearing an avalanche beacon. The avalanche risk was 2/5.