Briton dies after fall in French Alps
Alert was raised by the climber’s companion but he was confirmed dead at the scene
The unnamed British alpinist in his sixties died on the glacier des Grands Couloirs on the Grande Casse mountain on June 8
Marisa Estivill/Shutterstock
A British climber in his sixties has died following a fall on a glacier in the Alps in Savoie.
The fatal accident occurred late on the morning of Sunday, June 8, on the Grande Casse, the highest peak in the Vanoise massif in Savoie, which rises to 3,855m.
According to initial reports, the man - who has not been publicly named - was descending the glacier des Grands Couloirs with a companion when he slipped and fell.
The pair were not roped together at the time.
Emergency services were alerted at around 11:10 by the climber's companion, who is also British.
Despite challenging wind conditions, a helicopter from the CRS Alpes mountain rescue unit was able to reach the scene within minutes.
The man was confirmed dead at the scene.
An investigation has been opened by the Albertville public prosecutor’s office to determine the exact circumstances of the accident.
The glacier des Grands Couloirs is a well-known route on the south-western face of the Grande Casse, above the commune of Pralognan-la-Vanoise.
While commonly used for ascents and descents, it can become hazardous in variable snow and ice conditions, particularly when climbers are not roped.
Conditions on the glacier worsen in warmer weather and the route is typically closed in summer.
