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British student Emily Watts dies after snowboarding accident in France | British student Emily Watts dies after snowboarding accident in France |
(4 months later) | |
A British student who suffered a horrific snowboarding accident in the French Alps has died, her family has said. | A British student who suffered a horrific snowboarding accident in the French Alps has died, her family has said. |
Emily Watts, known as Mimi, fell headfirst into a snowdrift and was stuck for about 45 minutes following the incident in Chamonix on Saturday. | Emily Watts, known as Mimi, fell headfirst into a snowdrift and was stuck for about 45 minutes following the incident in Chamonix on Saturday. |
By the time emergency crews arrived, the 26-year-old, from Lavenham in Suffolk, had suffered a cardiac arrest, prompting fears of brain damage. | By the time emergency crews arrived, the 26-year-old, from Lavenham in Suffolk, had suffered a cardiac arrest, prompting fears of brain damage. |
Her parents, Nicky McAllister and Dominic Watts, along with her 27-year-old brother Rory, flew to France to be by her bedside. | Her parents, Nicky McAllister and Dominic Watts, along with her 27-year-old brother Rory, flew to France to be by her bedside. |
But after a number of days on a life support machine, she died earlier today, her aunt Shona Pollock said. | But after a number of days on a life support machine, she died earlier today, her aunt Shona Pollock said. |
In a statement issued before Watts's death, her family said the outlook was "very bleak" but the support they had received from friends and family had been "heartwarming". | In a statement issued before Watts's death, her family said the outlook was "very bleak" but the support they had received from friends and family had been "heartwarming". |
They met with rescuers this week to establish a better picture of what had happened and discovered a British man had raised the alarm. | They met with rescuers this week to establish a better picture of what had happened and discovered a British man had raised the alarm. |
"So far, we have spoken to the police, who have explained exactly what happened," the statement said. | "So far, we have spoken to the police, who have explained exactly what happened," the statement said. |
"She was at the edge of the piste where the snow was compacted and safe, but caught an edge and was catapulted into a 70cm pile of powder. | "She was at the edge of the piste where the snow was compacted and safe, but caught an edge and was catapulted into a 70cm pile of powder. |
"From the middle of the piste it was impossible to see her unless you were within two metres of the accident site. | "From the middle of the piste it was impossible to see her unless you were within two metres of the accident site. |
"Luckily a British man saw a mark in the snow as he skied past, stopped and ran back up the slope to check it out. | "Luckily a British man saw a mark in the snow as he skied past, stopped and ran back up the slope to check it out. |
"We're extremely grateful for that man's efforts – when he discovered somebody was stuck he called for help." | "We're extremely grateful for that man's efforts – when he discovered somebody was stuck he called for help." |
Pollock said the family had been "consumed with grief" since the accident. | Pollock said the family had been "consumed with grief" since the accident. |
"It's so sad," she said. "Mimi is a fabulous, outgoing character, plucky, and someone who loved the mountains. | "It's so sad," she said. "Mimi is a fabulous, outgoing character, plucky, and someone who loved the mountains. |
"She is adored by her brother. She's just a thoroughly positive, optimistic, lovely girl." | "She is adored by her brother. She's just a thoroughly positive, optimistic, lovely girl." |
French police were unable to notify the family for a day as Watts was not wearing any identification, Pollock said. | French police were unable to notify the family for a day as Watts was not wearing any identification, Pollock said. |
The design student was taken to hospital in nearby Annecy and later transferred to a specialist unit. | The design student was taken to hospital in nearby Annecy and later transferred to a specialist unit. |
It is believed no one else was involved in the accident. | It is believed no one else was involved in the accident. |
The experienced snowboarder had been in France for a few weeks and was working at the resort, her aunt said. | The experienced snowboarder had been in France for a few weeks and was working at the resort, her aunt said. |
Watts was in the Grands Montets, the largest pisted skiing area in the Chamonix valley, on the first day of the season when the accident happened. | Watts was in the Grands Montets, the largest pisted skiing area in the Chamonix valley, on the first day of the season when the accident happened. |
She reportedly suffered the cardiac arrest while rescuers were struggling to reach her at the top of the Pierre a Ric run. | She reportedly suffered the cardiac arrest while rescuers were struggling to reach her at the top of the Pierre a Ric run. |
She had attended a local convent in Bury St Edmunds and was due to begin a masters degree course in design, her aunt said. | She had attended a local convent in Bury St Edmunds and was due to begin a masters degree course in design, her aunt said. |
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