Skier Convicted of Manslaughter in Fatal Collision with 5-Year-Old British Child

A 43-year-old skier has been convicted of manslaughter and given a 12-month suspended sentence for the death of a 5-year-old British child in a high-speed collision at the French ski resort of Flaine.

The Bonneville judicial court in Haute-Savoie handed down the verdict, four years after the 2022 accident that killed Ophélie, who was struck by an out-of-control skier traveling at approximately 60 km/h (37 mph) on a blue intermediate slope known as the Serpentine.

The defendant was also ordered to pay €165,000 in damages to the child's family.

The Accident

Ophélie was participating in a group ski lesson led by an instructor when the collision occurred. She had fallen slightly behind the other children and was at the back of the group preparing to turn when she was hit from behind.

The force of the impact sent both the skier and child traveling a "considerable" distance down the slope together. Witnesses reported the skier was traveling at high speed and appeared unable to control his descent.

The child received first aid at the scene and was transported to Sallanches hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Court Proceedings

In court, the defendant—a volunteer firefighter who administered first aid to the girl immediately after the accident—acknowledged that his speed may have been inappropriate for the conditions on the slope that day.

His lawyer described him as an experienced and generally cautious skier, characterizing the incident as a tragic accident rather than reckless behavior. However, prosecutors argued that skiing at such excessive speed on a slope shared with ski school groups constituted dangerous negligence.

The 12-month suspended sentence means the defendant will not serve prison time unless he commits another offense during the suspension period.

The verdict has renewed questions about ski safety and speed control on crowded slopes, particularly those frequented by beginners and children in lessons.

The Serpentine slope where the accident occurred has been the site of several fatal accidents in recent years, raising concerns about whether additional safety measures are needed on certain high-traffic runs.

French ski resorts operate under regulations that require skiers to maintain control and ski at speeds appropriate for conditions, terrain, and traffic. However, enforcement remains challenging, and collisions—while relatively rare given the millions of skier-days annually—continue to result in serious injuries and occasional fatalities.

Ski safety experts emphasize that uphill skiers bear responsibility for avoiding downhill skiers, and that speed must be moderated in areas where beginners, children, and ski school groups are present.

The case serves as a sobering reminder that skiing, while generally safe when practiced responsibly, carries inherent risks that are magnified when participants ski beyond their ability to control their speed and direction.