A 5-year-old British girl died during a ski lesson in the French Alps when another skier crashed into her “at high speed”, according to authorities, who charged the man with involuntary manslaughter.
The girl, identified only as Ophélie, was with four other children receiving a lesson on the supposed safety of a beginner’s slope in Flaine on Saturday morning, local prosecutor Karline Bouisset told Sky News.
When she was about to turn, the young woman “was hit very violently by the skier who was coming at high speed and tried in vain to dodge it,” said Bouisset.
The speedy skier, a local volunteer firefighter from 40 years old, tried to give him first aid immediately, the UK broadcaster said.
However, the young woman never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead en route to a local hospital, e l medium.
The skier was arrested Monday and charged with involuntary manslaughter, according to Agence France-Presse, which said prosecutors blamed excessive speed for the death.
The man could face up to five years in prison, plus a fine of about $85,000 dollars if convicted, Sky said.
Jean-Paul Constant, the mayor of nearby Arâches, also told the broadcaster that they were “actively looking for an English-speaking psychologist for the family” of the girl.
“They are in extreme shock, as are many others involved in this tragedy,” the mayor said.
Some stations in France and Switzerland have introduced speed cameras and handheld radar devices in a move aimed at reducing acc idents on the tracks.
The limit in many has been set at 30 km/h , slightly less than 19 miles per hour, but expect much lower speeds on steeper grades. smooth.
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