Accidents above Chamonix

Three accidents in one day on the high mountains above Chamonix:

First, at around 11am, a skier fell over 12 metres into a crevasse in the Couturier Couloir on the Aiguille Verte and escaped with superficial bruises. It was a true miracle that the man was unharmed.

Then, the Chamonix PGHM proceeded in another rescue procedure, this time on the Aiguille de la Glière, the Aiguilles Rouges. A snowboarder lost his balance and fell several metres. With multiple injuries, he had to be transported to the hospital in Sallanches.

Finally, at around 1pm, an emergency call came from the upper part of the Argentiere Glacier. A French mountaineer who was climbing the glacier lost his balance and fell over 200 metres down the glacier. On arrival at the scene of the accident, the PGHM's doctor confirmed the death of the alpinist. The man, part of a group of four mountaineers, was descending on the Glacier du Milieu in the area of ​​Aiguille d'Argentiere on the upper part of the Argentiere Glacier, at 3500 meters altitude. Suddenly, he lost his balance and fall 200 metres down to his death. Immediately, his companions called the PGHM. The rescuer found the group not far from Refuge d'Argentiere. The rest of the group was transported to the Argentière Refuge where an investigation was opened to clarify the circumstances of the accident.

The PGHM rescuers strongly advise everyone to pay attention to every move made while climbing, skiing or snowboarding. A simple misplaced step can cost you not only your vacation, but also your life.
A full weekend for the Chamonix PGHM!