Skier survives 20m crevasse fall

A skier spent 2 hours in a crevasse on Tuesday afternoon while rescue services carefully lifted him out.

The man was skiing in the Rognon area of the Grands Montets when he went through a snow bridge and fell 20 metres into a crevasse on the Argentiere glacier at around midday.

Fortunately there were other people around who witnessed the accident and called the PGHM (mountain rescue police). Heavy lifting equipment had to be used to get the man to safety in a careful operation that took around 2 hours.

He was then flown by helicopter to Annecy hospital, where he was treated for hypothermia and severe pelvic injuries. He was said to be over the worst of the hypothermia by last night and in a stable condition.

Please click here for contact details of rescue services and information on mountain safety >>

Source: Le Dauphiné Libéré & Radio Mont Blanc