Several Avalanches Resulting In Two Deaths

Six Avalanches Reported In The Mont Blanc Massif Yesterday Resulting In Two Deaths.

The first fatal avalanche happened in the Loriaz area of Vallorcine just above the village church.  A guided party of 4 set off for a days off piste skiing when the last two skiers were swept away falling over cliffs of up to 200 meters.  One was found unburied, but face down…sadly he dead of his injures.  The second was found alive and was air lifted to Sallaches Hospital where he is being treated for serious back trauma.  A police investigation has been opened against the guide who could stand trial for manslaughter.

The second fatal avalanche of the day happened on a famous area of off piste, Les Posettes again in the Vallorcine area.  At 14hrs a group of two skiers triggered a large avalanche which swept one of them away.  He was found by the PGHM lifeless buried under a large amount of snow, his vitals came back after the rescuers performed CPR but sadly died later that evening in Hospital.  In almost the same spot at 15hrs48 a group of 3 skiers set off another avalanche resulting in one being air lifted to hospital with severe head trauma.

The high mountain office are advising extreme caution with this deadly unstable snow pack.