Overview
- The 50-year-old Olympic bronze medalist was caught on January 11 by a slide on the east flank of Hockuchriz at about 2,400 meters in Valais.
- His ski companion reached safety as rescuers from the Kantonale Walliser Rettungsorganisation and three Air Zermatt helicopters recovered him.
- He was flown first to the hospital in Visp and then to Sion, where he died of his injuries.
- Swiss-Ski confirmed his death, with president Peter Barandun offering condolences to family and friends.
- Police initially withheld the name; Berner Zeitung identified him, and he is survived by his wife and two sons, one of whom shared, “Fly high, Dad. We miss you.”