A British woman has died in the French Alps after she lost control while skiing, careered off-piste and collided with a tree.
Anne Clayton, 54, died after she set off on a moderate-level blue run while on holiday with her sons Stephen, 22, and Andrew, 19, at La Plagne, in the Savoy region of the Alps.
“We have skied all of our lives – she was a good skier,” Stephen Clayton said. “It was not a difficult run but because it rained, it was quite icy. She lost control and dropped 20ft off the piste and made contact with a tree.”
The trio had arrived at La Plagne on Saturday and were enjoying their second full day in the mountains when the tragedy happened at about 11.30am on Monday. Medics pronounced Clayton dead at the scene, according to reports.
Clayton, a widow from Poynton, Cheshire, had dedicated herself to charity work since the death of her husband, Bob, 12 years ago. She was a keen volunteer with a night-time charity, the Manchester Street Angels, which helps vulnerable and lost people in the city at night and had also been to Bulgaria and Romania to deliver supplies with Operation Christmas Child.
Paying tribute to his mother, Stephen Clayton said: “She really looked after us and was a really caring person. She also helped out at various food banks around our local area. She was known for her voluntary work.
“Mum was very caring and would not do anything for herself unless it benefited other people. She was always ready to do a lot for others. She had a lot of close friends that we have had to tell. She was very popular. She loved life and just got things done.”
An investigation into Clayton’s death is under way at La Plagne, according to reports. Her sons are due to speak to French police about the incident. Pictures of the family on holiday showed them all wearing helmets and goggles.
Manchester Street Angels paid tribute to Clayton on its Facebook page: “We share this news with a very heavy heart. Our very dear friend & amazing angel has sadly passed away. God needed a true Angel to join him. Sending all our love to her family, friends & fellow Angels. Gone but never forgotten.”
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British national and remain in contact with the French authorities.”
