A Belgium skier was hit by an avalanche and seriously injured in Tignes today while skiing off-piste. The avalanche, some 40 meters wide, was triggered by the skier, last of a group of six.
The group was accompanined by two ski instructors. The other skiers, who were following normal backcountry procedure of travelling one at a time, were not caught by the slide. Buried under 1 meter of snow the skier was found with his avalanche transceiver in a state of cardio-vascular arrest. After emergency medical care at the scene the 59 year old man was taken to Chambery hospital by helicopter.
The avalanche risk at the time was 3. There have already been a number of avalanche accidents in the area this season including the death of a British skier who was with a guided group in the Tufs couloirs.
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The Belgium skier did not recover from his injuries.