Skier swept away by avalanche in the French Alps found alive after 24 hours

A 39-year-old man has been found alive, a full day after an avalanche swept him into a crevasse in the French Alps. Rescuers located him on Monday 9 November in the Mont-Cenis massif, in the Savoie region.

What happened?

The man set out on Saturday for a ski touring trip, which means climbing and skiing off-piste in the mountains. He spent the night in a mountain refuge.

On Sunday morning, an avalanche carried him away in the Ambin valley area. He then fell into a crevasse. Despite fractures to both legs, he managed to take shelter in an air pocket.

His family and friends raised the alarm on Sunday. A team from the CRS Alpes (France's mountain rescue unit within the national riot police) based in Modane was sent out, but could not find him that day.

How was he found?

The search resumed on Monday. Rescuers spent five hours probing the snow and digging in the area.

In the end, they were guided by the sound of his voice. That is how they pinpointed where he was.

He was not carrying an avalanche transceiver, known in French as a DVA. This small device sends a signal that helps rescuers locate buried people quickly.

What's next?

The man was taken to the university hospital in Grenoble. He was suffering from hypothermia, along with several fractures in both legs.

Snow is returning to higher altitudes, and rescuers are urging skiers and hikers to be extremely careful. They also remind everyone how important it is to carry an avalanche transceiver.