Tignes avalanche: Father killed in French alps named as Pierre Nicalek

The aftermath of the avalanche in Tignes
AFP
Alexandra Williams14 February 2017

A father who died in an avalanche in the French Alps has been named locally as Pierre Nicalek.

Mr Nicalek, 48, was a pharmacist in Pertuis, in the south-east of the country. He died alongside his 15-year-old son and 19-year-old step-son in the ski resort of Tignes yesterday morning. Their snowboard instructor Laurent Ruiz, 59, was also killed.

The family, who were on a half-term holiday, were regular visitors to the resort.

The mayor of Pertuis, Roger Pellenc, said: “It is a tragedy. It is an historic pharmacy in the town, the first one in the centre.

“I know this gentleman well. We will offer support, professionally and personally, at this difficult time.”

A fifth member of the group was not with the rest of the party during the avalanche because he lost his snowboard on the ascent. He had been carrying it when he dropped it and it slid part-way down the slope. The instructor had told him to wait.

The four victims had already snowboarded down the slope once and were about to attempt a second descent when the avalanche struck.

Authorities said “many other” people had skied and snowboarded the same route in previous days.

Initially it was feared that nine people were missing, but it was later confirmed there were no other victims.

Marion Lapouble, a spokeswoman for the resort, said: “The number of individuals believed to be buried at the beginning of the search is explained by a duplicate enrolment in the course. Four people of French nationality were found, unfortunately deceased.

“All the victims were equipped with avalanche transceivers, which allowed the rescuers to find the victims quickly, unfortunately without life.”

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