Family of British mother and son killed in Alps Avalanche say they are 'beyond heartbroken'

Pair died after an avalanche swept through an off piste area
Kate Vokes, 54, and her son Archie Vokes, 22 (Family handout)
PA Media
31 December 2023

The family of a mother and son killed in an avalanche while skiing in the Alps have said they are "beyond heartbroken".

Kate Vokes, 54, and son Archie, 22, were skiing in the Mont Blanc resort on Thursday.

An investigation into the incident has been launched by the French authorities.

Their family said in a statement: "We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of our beloved, wonderful Kate and Archie.

"Words cannot express how terrible we all feel nor the hole in our lives that has been left by this tragic accident.

"We kindly ask for privacy as we grieve together as a family."

The avalanche swept through an off-piste area on the slopes of Mont Joly, at an altitude of 7,545 feet.

It involved a total of eight people - with five of them making a miraculous escape and one of them being injured.

Dozens of mountain rescuers set out to search for the two missing skiers, but found both were later found dead under the snow.

Three other members of the British family, including the husband and father of the deceased, were among those who survived the avalanche.

Their ski instructor was also buried in the snow but later pulled out alive.

Officials believe the avalanche may have been set in motion by two ski tourers who were uphill of the British family, skiing in the Pirolettes couloir.

The mother and son had been skiing with three other family members and a freelance ski instructor, whom they had known for several years, the Bonneville Public Prosecutor's Office said on Friday.

No one in the family was wearing an avalanche transceiver, which emits a silent signal that can be detected if buried under snow.

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