Jerusalem Resident Killed In French Alps Ski Accident

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — A 19-year-old dual French-Israeli citizen, who immigrated to Israel with her family about three years ago and resided in Jerusalem, was killed on Monday during a skiing vacation with family and friends in the French Alps.

Elinor Maimon was skiing at the Vars ski resort in the Hautes-Alpes region when the incident occurred. According to French authorities, she was found alone and lifeless on a piste at around 5:30 p.m., approximately one hour after the slopes had closed, by a resort worker. An air rescue team was quickly dispatched, but despite immediate medical efforts, her death was pronounced at the scene.

Preliminary findings from the investigation, as stated by Gap public prosecutor Marion Lozac’hmeur to local media outlet Alpes 1, indicate that the death appears to be accidental. The young woman likely fell into a ditch at the edge of the slope. She was wearing a helmet at the time.

Family members, who were skiing with her in a group, raised the alarm when they could not find her at the bottom of the run.

An official inquiry into the circumstances of the death has been opened and entrusted to the CRS Alpes mountain rescue unit. Further discussions and examinations are expected to continue through the weekend to finalize the investigation.