British Skier Killed in French Alps Avalanche Named as Manslaughter Probe Opens
A British skier who died in a devastating avalanche in the French Alps has been officially named as authorities open a manslaughter investigation into the tragic incident. Stuart Leslie, described by friends as a 'true legend', was one of three individuals killed while skiing off-piste at the renowned Val d'Isère resort in south-eastern France.
Details of the Fatal Avalanche
The fatal event occurred late on Friday morning when a group of four skiers, including Mr Leslie, were swept away by a powerful avalanche. The slide rumbled approximately 400 metres (1,300 feet) down the slope, carrying three victims with it. A second British national and a French skier also perished in the incident, while the ski instructor accompanying the group emerged unharmed and tested negative for both drugs and alcohol.
Notably, this tragedy unfolded just one day after the Val d'Isère resort had issued a red alert for avalanche risk—a severe warning that, according to French newspaper Le Monde, has only been activated three times in the past quarter-century. The French national weather service, Météo-France, had scored the avalanche risk at four out of five, prompting the resort's website to strongly discourage off-piste skiing.
Manslaughter Investigation Launched
Albertville public prosecutor Benoit Bachelet confirmed in an official statement that a manslaughter investigation has been initiated. While the precise cause of the avalanche remains undetermined, preliminary reports from French media suggest that a skier on higher ground may have inadvertently triggered the deadly slide.
Cédric Bonnevie, the piste director at Val d'Isère, provided further insight to The Telegraph, detailing the avalanche's path and impact. The investigation will now scrutinise the circumstances surrounding the group's decision to ski off-piste despite the elevated risk warnings.
Tributes to a 'True Legend'
In the wake of the disaster, heartfelt tributes have flooded social media for Stuart Leslie. His close friend, Craig Hunter, penned an emotional homage on Facebook, celebrating Mr Leslie's zest for life. 'He lived life to the absolute maximum—he packed ten men's lives into one. He squeezed everything out of every moment,' Mr Hunter wrote.
He added, 'We shared endless laughs, unforgettable memories and our dreams that were coming reality. When we skied together, he was at his happiest. He always said there was no better feeling in life, skiing fresh powder was pure freedom.' Accompanying photographs depicted Mr Leslie enjoying skiing, socialising at bars and restaurants, and participating in lively fancy dress parties, painting a picture of a vibrant individual deeply passionate about the slopes.
Broader Context and Official Response
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office stated, 'We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in France and are in touch with local authorities.' This incident marks the latest in a series of fatal avalanches that have afflicted the region recently. In January, another British skier, believed to be in his 50s, lost his life while skiing off-piste at the La Plagne resort in south-eastern France.
In a separate but related weather event, heavy snowfall in neighbouring Switzerland caused a train to derail near the village of Goppenstein in Valais on Monday morning. The accident resulted in injuries to five people, with one passenger hospitalised. Mountain rescue teams swiftly evacuated all 29 passengers from the stricken train.
The confluence of these incidents underscores the heightened dangers posed by severe winter conditions in Alpine regions, emphasising the critical importance of heeding official warnings and exercising extreme caution in high-risk environments.
