UK skier dies in 'violent collision' in French Alps

An investigation is under way after a British woman died following a "violent collision" on a ski slope in the French Alps.

The 62-year-old reportedly crashed into a stationary skier, a British man, on the Aiguille Rouge mountain in Les Arcs on Tuesday.

She died shortly afterwards, after experiencing traumatic shock, according to French news outlet Le Dauphine.

The man broke his leg in the collision. Neither have been named.

The incident occurred at the Les Arcs resort in Savoie, south-eastern France.

The director of slope safety at the resort, Phillipe Janin, told the AFP news agency it had happened around 10:30 (09:30 GMT), when the woman was descending a "well-groomed" black run on the Aiguille Rouge mountain.

Black runs are extremely difficult slopes that are considered to be only suitable for expert skiers.

Mr Janin said the 62-year-old had lost control of her skis before colliding with a 35-year-old man who was stationary on the piste. Emergency services attended the scene, but she died shortly afterwards.

He added that he believed both of the skiers had been wearing helmets, and the man had been rushed to hospital with a broken leg.

Local prosecutor Benoît Bachelet told AFP an investigation to determine the precise circumstances of the accident was under way.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in France and are in contact with the local authorities."

According to the Domaines Skiables de France, the association that represents ski area operators in France, an average of 10 traumatic deaths are recorded each year on French slopes.

Up to half of these, it adds, are a result of a collision with an obstacle or another skier.