While he was with a high mountain guide, a man in his twenties died after being buried by an avalanche in Villard-de-Lans, in Isère, this Friday March 8, reports France Bleu.
Rescued and then transported by helicopter to Grenoble University Hospital, the young man did not survive his injuries.
An investigation was opened by the Grenoble public prosecutor's office for
"involuntary manslaughter and involuntary injuries"
, public prosecutor Éric Vaillant
told Le
Figaro , in order to establish the circumstances of the death and the potential responsibility of the guide.
It was entrusted to the high mountain gendarmerie platoon of Isère, the PGHM.
The young climber was with a group of six other people, all also around twenty years old, to climb the western sector of the Gerbier ridges on Friday morning.
All were supervised by a high mountain guide when the avalanche surprised them, around 9:30 a.m., indicates the local media.
Avalanche risk
Emergency services quickly intervened on the spot, accompanied in particular by a dog brigade and two helicopters.
Although the six other climbers and the guide escaped the avalanche unscathed, the victim was treated at Grenoble University Hospital for knee trauma.
The investigation will also make it possible to establish the route taken by the group.
The Vercors massif, where Villard-de-Lans is located, was at risk of level 2 (yellow) avalanche on Friday March 8, called
“limited”
, according to Météo France.
The prefecture reminds that before going to the mountains, it is important to find out about the weather and the state of the snow, to equip yourself accordingly, to pay attention to the rules and not to travel alone.
Also read: Where to ski when you're just starting out?
Slopes, packages... The best resorts to progress
A large part of the Northern Alps is still placed at risk of level 3 (orange), known as
“marked”
, avalanche , above 1800 meters altitude, until the end of the day this Saturday.