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Ski instructor killed in avalanche
Wednesday February 3, 2010 - Email this article to a friend
The instructor, in his 60s, was teaching in St Anton when he was buried. One of the pupils was caught. He is the latest professional to die this winter in an avalanche.
The accident happened on Tuesday and according to local media reports the man died of a broken neck. One pupil was partially buried but survived unharmed.
An investigation into the incident is now under way. The accident followed heavy snowfall in the area.
There have been a number of fataliites this winter across the Alps as mountain guides, rescuers and instructors have been caught.
In Switzerland a rescue doctor was killed while attending an incident when a secondary avalanche struck and in Les Arcs, in France, a mountain guide died with his clients in a huge avalanche.
In North America a highly respected member of the ski patrol was killed in Jackson Hole.
What is it like to be caught in an avalanche?
The Guardian newspaper this week hears from a Frenchman who miraculously survived for 45 minutes before being dug out.
53-year old Gillles Durant was hit by 2 avalanches last weekend while skiing off piste near Grenoble in France.
His friend called the rescue services and he was eventually pulled from the snow.
For more on the story see here.
The avalanche risk has been high across many parts of the Alps after the fresh snow and people are being urged to obey all the safety rules.
The warning scale
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