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Carwyn Scott-Howell: 'No warning signs' where ski boy fell | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A mid Wales child fell to his death on a French skiing trip after entering an area with no warning signs, an inquest has heard. | |
Carwyn Scott-Howell, seven, from Talybont-on-Usk, Powys, was on a family holiday in the French Alps in April when he fell 50m (160ft) off a cliff. | |
Gwent coroner David Bowen ruled his death was accidental on Wednesday. | |
Carwyn's family said the death should "never have happened" and had left a "huge hole" in their lives. | |
Speaking after the inquest in Newport, Carwyn's godmother Lucy England said: "Our lives were torn apart by the death of Carwyn in an accident that should never have happened. | |
"We as a family are still coming to terms with that day." | |
She added: "Had signs been in place we believe Carwyn would still be here today. A huge hole has been left in our lives." | |
The inquest heard Carwyn was an experienced skier for his age. | |
His mother, Ceri, said he was only 20m (65ft) ahead of her, during the final run of the family's week-long trip to Flaine, when she last saw him. | |
'Smiled and waved' | |
"He turned around and smiled and waved," she said. | |
Carwyn became separated from his family when Mrs Scott-Howell stopped to help his nine-year-old sister Antonia, who had lost a ski. | |
Having initially stopped, he then skied on and became lost off-piste, the inquest heard. | Having initially stopped, he then skied on and became lost off-piste, the inquest heard. |
In trying to return on foot, it is believed he started to slide down the mountain and fell over a cliff. His body was found on a ledge 50m (160ft) below. | |
Mrs Scott-Howell told the inquest Carwyn was familiar with the signs used on ski slopes and would not have gone into an area which was marked as dangerous. | |
She said there were no warning signs in the area where Carwyn was found to have gone. | |
'Mission' | |
The coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death. | |
Reading out the family's statement after the hearing, Carwyn's godmother said the family would return to Flaine to campaign for signs to be erected. | |
"Nothing can bring our little boy home but it will be our mission to ensure no other family suffers this way," she said. | |
Ms England spoke of Carwyn's love for his sister and elder half-brother Gerwyn, 18. | |
Carwyn's father Rhys Scott-Howell was also present at the hearing. |