Tragic Rafting Accident Claims Life of British Woman in French Alps

A woman tragically drowned after an incident on the Guisane River, prompting an investigation into safety measures on rafting excursions.

A British woman has sadly passed away following a white-water rafting accident in the picturesque French Alps. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon on the Guisane River, located in Briançon, southeastern France, regional prosecutor Marion Lozac'hmeur reported to AFP. The victim fell from her raft shortly after noon local time (11:00 BST) during a group excursion.

Rescue teams quickly reached the woman, who was discovered on the riverbank and airlifted to a hospital in critical condition. However, despite efforts to save her, Lozac'hmeur confirmed that she succumbed to her injuries later that evening. The British Foreign Office has acknowledged the incident and is collaborating with French authorities to gather more information.

The woman was part of an organized rafting trip that traversed a section of the river known as "the wallet." Local media, specifically Le Dauphine, have yet to report her identity, as authorities in both France and the UK are holding off on releasing her name. In light of this tragic event, an investigation into possible "involuntary manslaughter" has commenced, and an autopsy will be carried out as part of the protocol.

This incident is reminiscent of a case from the previous year when a British man tragically lost his life while kayaking on the Durance River, another popular waterway in the region. The Durance and Guisane, both fed by melting snow and glaciers, present challenging rapids, making them sought-after destinations for thrill-seekers. However, their swift currents and difficult sections render them navigable for only two to three months each summer, as per information provided on Briançon's official tourism website.