A British woman has died following a white-water rafting accident that occurred in the French Alps on Saturday afternoon. The incident took place on the Guisane River in the Briançon area shortly after noon local time (11:00 BST), as reported by regional prosecutor Marion Lozac'hmeur to AFP.
The woman fell from her raft while navigating a section of the river known colloquially as "the wallet." Firefighters indicated that she was subsequently located on the riverbank and airlifted to a nearby hospital in serious condition. Unfortunately, local authorities confirmed that she succumbed to her injuries later that evening.
The UK's Foreign Office has acknowledged the incident and is coordinating with local French authorities regarding the situation. Although the woman has not been publicly named, she was participating in an organized rafting excursion when the tragic event occurred.
An investigation into "involuntary manslaughter" has been initiated, and an autopsy is expected to follow, as indicated by prosecutor Lozac'hmeur. This marks a somber reminder of the risks associated with adventure sports in the area, highlighted by the previous year's incident where a British man lost his life while kayaking on the nearby Durance River amid challenging conditions caused by heavy snowmelt.
Both the Guisane and Durance rivers attract thrill-seekers during the spring months, characterized by their challenging rapids, and are typically navigable only for a brief window each year, as noted on the official website for Briançon.
