Chamonix avalanche kills Norwegian Skier
300 metre wide avalanche on the aiguille d'Argentiere
An avalanche on the aiguille d’Argentiere, Chamonix has claimed the life of a Norwegian skier.
The mountaineer was swept away by an avalanche whilst climbing the aiguille d’Argentiere with two other skiers. The avalanche came down form the top of the glacier du Milieu and dragged the man along 100 metres of snow and rock.
The 48 year old man from Norway was pulled out of the avalanche alive with a broken leg and 'deep pains in the ribs'.
The other men in the group had given the alert to the mountain rescue services but due to the gale force winds in the Chamonix valley a rescue helicopter could not be deployed. Instead five members of the PGHM headed up to the Argentière refuge, whilst the injured mountaineer was carried down to the refuge with the help of his colleagues.
At 10 pm the rescue team had reached the hut where a German doctor was carrying out first aid on the man however he later died due to the injuries sustained in the avalanche.
