Ski-holiday student sends SOS text then dies in freezing river

A BRITISH student froze to death after getting lost and falling into a river while on a skiing holiday in the French Alps.

Rachel Ward, 20, a student at Durham University, was found dead in the upmarket resort of Val d'Isere early on Tuesday. It is believed that she slipped on ice and fell into the Isere river.

Ms Ward, who came from Bradford, Yorkshire, went out with friends on Monday night but some time after midnight she set out to return to her apartment alone.

At about 1:15am she sent a text message to a friend, saying she was lost.

One theory is that she decided to cross the river to take a short-cut via a nearby bridge, but slipped down a steep bank, fell in and was unable to get out. Although she was wearing warm clothing, temperatures were said to be as low as -15C. A man on his way to work found her body floating in the Isere.

Ms Ward was on a student-organised skiing and snowboarding holiday with travel operator On the Piste, Durham University said.

The university yesterday paid tribute to a "talented and popular" student who was academically gifted and active in extra-curricular activities. A member of Durham's Collingwood College, she played for the university's hockey team and was its treasurer.

Professor Ed Corrigan, the college's principal, said: "Everyone in Collingwood is shocked by Rachel's tragic death. She was a bright, popular student who was academically talented and enjoyed participating in sport and other college activities.

"She will be missed by all of us. We extend our deeply felt sympathy to her family and to her many friends.

"Students who have been affected by this incident are being offered support and access to counselling."

On the Piste, based in Withington, Manchester, said in a statement: "The police have confirmed that the incident was an accidental death and they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and we will be supporting them in any way we can."

Ms Ward's parents travelled to Val d'Isere, where they were being assisted by British consular officials.

Her Durham University Hockey Club teammates also paid tribute to the popular student.

Club captain Phil Mutlow said: "Rachel was one of the best – she always had a smile on her face and was lovely to be around.

"All in the club are absolutely devastated that someone so young and with so much talent and enthusiasm for life could be taken in such a horrific way.

"We cannot put into words how much we are going to miss her. Our thoughts go out to her family and friends."