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British student dies on ski trip British student dies on ski trip
(about 2 hours later)
A British student has died while on a skiing holiday in the French Alps, the Foreign Office has confirmed.A British student has died while on a skiing holiday in the French Alps, the Foreign Office has confirmed.
Rachel Ward, 20, who was in her second year of a degree at Durham University, was found dead in the resort of Val d'Isere on Tuesday morning. Rachel Ward, 20, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, was found dead in the resort of Val d'Isere on Tuesday morning.
A local newspaper said she froze to death after sending a text message to a friend at 1.15am saying she was lost.A local newspaper said she froze to death after sending a text message to a friend at 1.15am saying she was lost.
Durham University said in a statement it was extremely saddened at the loss of "a bright, popular student". Durham University, where Miss Ward was an undergraduate, said in a statement it was extremely saddened at the loss of "a bright, popular student".
Miss Ward was on a ski and snowboarding holiday organised by students, not an official university trip.Miss Ward was on a ski and snowboarding holiday organised by students, not an official university trip.
'Accidental death''Accidental death'
According to the Dauphine Libere newspaper, the 20-year-old went out with friends on Monday night, but left alone to walk back to her chalet.According to the Dauphine Libere newspaper, the 20-year-old went out with friends on Monday night, but left alone to walk back to her chalet.
One theory is that she may have got lost and tried to take a shortcut across the icy Isere River, but fell in, the paper said.One theory is that she may have got lost and tried to take a shortcut across the icy Isere River, but fell in, the paper said.
Her body was found in the morning by a man on his way to work. She was a bright, popular student, who was academically talented and enjoyed participating in sport Professor Ed CorriganDurham UniversityHer body was found in the morning by a man on his way to work. She was a bright, popular student, who was academically talented and enjoyed participating in sport Professor Ed CorriganDurham University
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said British consular staff were providing assistance to her family, who have travelled to the resort.A Foreign Office spokeswoman said British consular staff were providing assistance to her family, who have travelled to the resort.
"French police have confirmed that this is being treated as an accidental death," she added."French police have confirmed that this is being treated as an accidental death," she added.
Miss Ward was studying natural sciences at Durham's Collingwood College. She also played hockey for the university third team and was the club's treasurer. Miss Ward was in her second year of a natural sciences degree at Durham's Collingwood College. She also played hockey for the university third team and was the club's treasurer.
Professor Ed Corrigan, principal of her college, said: "Everyone in Collingwood is shocked by Rachel's tragic death.Professor Ed Corrigan, principal of her college, said: "Everyone in Collingwood is shocked by Rachel's tragic death.
"She was a bright, popular student, who was academically talented and enjoyed participating in sport and other college activities."She was a bright, popular student, who was academically talented and enjoyed participating in sport and other college activities.
"She will be missed by all of us. We extend our deeply felt sympathy to her family and to her many friends.""She will be missed by all of us. We extend our deeply felt sympathy to her family and to her many friends."
Prof Corrigan said students affected by the incident were being offered counselling by the university.Prof Corrigan said students affected by the incident were being offered counselling by the university.
'The best''The best'
Miss Ward was travelling with tour operator On The Piste, based in Withington, Manchester. It said in a statement: "The police have confirmed that the incident was an accidental death and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. We cannot put into words how much we are going to miss her Phil MutlowDurham University Hockey ClubMiss Ward was travelling with tour operator On The Piste, based in Withington, Manchester. It said in a statement: "The police have confirmed that the incident was an accidental death and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. We cannot put into words how much we are going to miss her Phil MutlowDurham University Hockey Club
"Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and we will be supporting them in any way we can.""Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and we will be supporting them in any way we can."
Captain of the Durham University Hockey Club Phil Mutlow said Miss Ward was always on hand to help anyone who needed it.Captain of the Durham University Hockey Club Phil Mutlow said Miss Ward was always on hand to help anyone who needed it.
"Rachel was one of the best. She always had a smile on her face and was lovely to be around."Rachel was one of the best. She always had a smile on her face and was lovely to be around.
"The club are absolutely devastated that someone so young and with so much talent and enthusiasm for life could be taken in such a horrific way."The club are absolutely devastated that someone so young and with so much talent and enthusiasm for life could be taken in such a horrific way.
"We cannot put into words how much we are going to miss her.""We cannot put into words how much we are going to miss her."
Miss Ward's death came just days after two young Britons - Rob Gauntlett and James Atkinson, both 21 - were killed in a climbing accident in the French Alps.Miss Ward's death came just days after two young Britons - Rob Gauntlett and James Atkinson, both 21 - were killed in a climbing accident in the French Alps.