A desperate search is underway for a US student buried alive under an avalanche that killed the 18-year-old Brit during a ski trip with five others from the prestigious $70,000-a-year Swiss boarding school
- Students from the Swiss Ecole d’Humanité were on a ski tour when an avalanche broke out
- The two students attended the exclusive $70,000 annual boarding school
The search for a US student trapped in an avalanche continues after an 18-year-old Briton was found dead yesterday.
The student’s identity was not released, but her school, Ecole d’Humanité, confirmed that the girl is American.
The mountain rescue is to continue their search this morning. Last night’s recovery was interrupted around 7:30 p.m. due to lights.
The 18-year-old avalanche victim originally comes from England, but lived in Bern. Both skiers attended the exclusive international boarding school Ecole d’Humanité, which costs $70,000 a year.
The school in the municipality of Hasliberg is in the immediate vicinity of the Gstelliwang ski slope on the Wellhorn in the district of Meiringen, the next municipality.
Seven students from the renowned Swiss boarding school Ecole d’Humanité were on a ski tour when an avalanche went off in Gstelliwang near Meiringen on Tuesday, March 21, at 4:25 p.m. (pictured: search for the buried American student).
School staff said they were “deeply saddened” after a British student was killed in an avalanche during the school’s ski trip.
Seven students from the renowned Ecole d’Humanité were on a ski tour when an avalanche fell down the mountain near Gstelliwang near Meiringen on Tuesday at 4:25 p.m.
The school said in a statement that the “very experienced group” made the necessary arrangements for a ski tour, taking into account the avalanche bulletin, and equipped the students with avalanche transceivers, probes and shovels.
Despite these measures, an avalanche broke out and buried two students. Although search and rescue efforts began immediately, “any help came too late” for an 18-year-old British student, the school said.
The school’s statement of the tragedy read: “We regret this terrible accident and are deeply saddened.
“We extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to all students, their families and loved ones.”
The deadly avalanche struck around 4:25 p.m. Mountain rescue teams and a helicopter were deployed to help the survivors.
The school said in a statement that the “very experienced group” made the necessary arrangements for a ski tour, taking into account the avalanche bulletin, and equipped the students with avalanche transceivers, probes and shovels
The two students, who were on the ski tour with a mountain guide, a youth and sports leader and three other external people, drove down the Gstelliwang in an avalanche and buried them both under it, as the cantonal police in Zurich announced.
Task forces from the Swiss Alpine Rescue, Rega, Swiss Alpine Rescue, several Rega, Air-Glacier and Swiss Helicopter helicopters, mountain specialists and other employees from the Bern Canton Police and the Care Team of the Canton of Bern are currently looking for the second person.
The school said a care team has been available since Tuesday night for those who need it.
It added: “People are also present for psychological support, including individual bereavement counselling. This comprehensive care will continue until the students leave.’
In 2007, an American student at the Swiss Leysin American School died in an avalanche. Spencer Akers, an 18-year-old from Great Barrington, Massachusetts, was scheduled to graduate before the tragic incident.