Desperate search is on for US student buried alive under avalanche that killed Brit during ski trip
A desperate search is on for an American student buried alive under the avalanche that killed an 18-year-old British teenager during a ski trip with five other students from a prestigious $70,000 a year Swiss boarding school.
- Swiss Ecole d’Humanité students were on a ski tour when the avalanche hit
- The two students attended the exclusive $70,000 a year boarding school.
The search for an American student buried under an avalanche continues after an 18-year-old Briton was found dead yesterday.
The student’s identity has not been released, but her school’s Ecole d’Humanité has confirmed that the girl is American.
Mountain rescue services are ready to resume their search this morning. Last night’s recovery was interrupted around 19:30 due to light.
The 18-year-old student who died in the avalanche was originally from England but lived in Bern, where both skiers were attending the exclusive $70,000-a-year Ecole d’Humanité international boarding school.
The school in the town of Hasliberg is a short distance from the Gstelliwang ski slope on the Wellhorn mountain in the area of Meiringen, the next town.
Seven students from the prestigious Swiss boarding school Ecole d’Humanité were on a ski tour when an avalanche hit Gstelliwang near Meiringen at 4:25 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21 (pictured: the search for the buried American student)
School staff said they are “deeply saddened” after a British student was killed in an avalanche during the school’s ski trip.
Seven students from the prestigious Ecole d’Humanité school were on a ski trip when an avalanche hit the mountain in Gstelliwang, near Meiringen, at 4:25 p.m. Tuesday.
The school said in a statement that the “very experienced group” had taken the necessary precautions for a ski tour, such as being mindful of the avalanche bulletin and equipping students with avalanche transceivers, probes and shovels.
Despite these measures, an avalanche broke out that buried two students. Although search and rescue efforts began immediately, for an 18-year-old British student “any help came too late,” the school said.
The school’s statement on the tragedy read: ‘We are sorry for this terrible accident and are deeply saddened.
‘We extend our heartfelt condolences and condolences to all of the students, their families and relatives.’
The fatal avalanche occurred around 4:25 p.m. Mountain rescue teams and a helicopter were deployed to help survivors.
The school said in a statement that the “very experienced group” had taken the necessary precautions for a ski tour, such as being mindful of the avalanche bulletin and equipping students with avalanche transceivers, probes and shovels.
The school in the town of Hasliberg is a short distance from the Gstelliwang ski slope on the Wellhorn mountain.
The two students, who were on the ski tour with a mountain guide, a sports and youth leader, as well as three other outsiders, were driving along the Gstelliwang when an avalanche broke out and buried them both below, according to cantonal police. in Bern.
The crews of Swiss Alpine Rescue Rega, Swiss Alpine Rescue, various Rega helicopters, Air-Glaciers and Swiss Helicopter, mountain specialists and other employees of the Berne cantonal police and the Berne cantonal care team are currently searching for the second individual.
The school said a care team has been available for those in need since Tuesday night.
He added: ‘There are also people present for psychological care, including individual bereavement counselling. This comprehensive assistance will continue until the students leave.’
In 2007, an American student at the Swiss Leysin American School was killed in an avalanche. Spencer Akers, an 18-year-old from Great Barrington, Massachusetts, was due to graduate before the tragic incident.