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Morzine Pisteur Dies in Avalanche in Bernex, Haute Savoie
Resort Worker Loses Life Just Days Before 22nd Birthday
A 21 year old who worked as a pisteur in Morzine lost his life on Tuesday the 19th of March in an avalanche in Bernex, Haute Savoie. Mathieu Van Dongen from St Paul en Chablais was skiing off piste and alone when the incident occurred.
The alarm was raised just after 17:00 when a mountain guide discovered the body of a skier amongst the avalanche debris. Rescue services were quick to arrive at the scene but were unable to resuciate the young man.
Mathieu was well known for his love of ski touring and mountaineering and was sadly just days short of his 22nd birthday when he lost his life on Tuesday afternoon. His funeral will take place this Saturday, the 23rd of March in his hometown.
Following recent heavysnowfall and high winds, there was a high risk of avalanches in the Northern Alps.
Our thoughts go out to Mathieu's family and friends.
