Southampton skier dies following Val d'Isère avalanche

A Southampton man has died after being caught in an avalanche while skiing in France.

David Robinson, 67, from Hamble, near Southampton, was in Val d'Isère with his wife, Christine Hughes, on Sunday when the the avalanche struck.

Ms Hughes managed to activate a safety airbag and was dug out by the couple's ski guide, Wayne Watson.

Ms Hughes confirmed that her husband had died in hospital on Monday.

'Worst imaginable'

Writing on his blog, Mr Watson wrote: "I am so sorry to tell you that David passed away this afternoon with his wife Chrissy and best friend Keith by his side.

"As you can imagine it's been the worst 36-hours imaginable and it's going to take a long time to come to terms with."

He said Mr Robinson had been located using an avalanche beacon, a beeping device used to find skiiers, and taken to hospital in Grenoble.

Ms Hughes said both she and her husband of three years had been wearing safety equipment, including avalanche beepers and airbags, at the time of the accident.

The couple, who have been together for 22 years, had been due to stay at the French resort for a month.