British doctor dies in 260ft snowboard plunge in French alps
A British doctor has plunged 260ft to his death while snowboarding in the French Alps in an off-limits area described as "extremely dangerous".
Robert Bruce, a 40-year-old anaesthetist from Winchester, Hampshire, ventured off-piste when he went snowboarding with a friend during a break in the seminar he was attending in Val D'Isere.
On Tuesday afternoon, Dr Bruce, who is believed to have two children, left the piste and headed into a steep gorge.
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Father-ot-two Robert Bruce plunged 260ft to his death after venturing off-piste in Val d'Isere. He was described as 'kind' and 'having lots of friends'
He struck a rock at a spot known as Face de la Bellegarde and then plunged more than 260ft.
A local said: "One wrong turn and that is it. People who know the mountain don't go there."
He was found by four mountain rescuers after his friend raised the alarm. He was airlifted off the mountain but unable to be revived.
A spokesman for the high mountain police, said: "It is not an area skiers and boarders should go. It is off-limits because it is very dangerous."
His family was informed on Tuesday night.
Robert Bruce was snowboarding above the hamlet of Le Joseray, not far from the route of last week's World Cup downhill skiing route
The death comes less than a week after British businessman David Monk, 46, was killed when a tobogganing prank went wrong in an Italian ski resort.
Mr Monk, from Hertfordshire, died after crashing into a ski barrier after removing its padding to use as a sledge.
