The events occurred during the night from Friday to Saturday. The accident alert was triggered around 4:45 a.m. An investigation has been opened.
The Haut Griffe Ultra-trail has turned into a tragedy. A participant died on the night of Friday June 14 to Saturday June 15, BFMTV.com learned from Karline Bouisset, public prosecutor of Bonneville, confirming information from France 3, this Saturday June 15.
Two other riders were seriously injured. “Their vital prognosis would not be compromised,” specifies the magistrate. These are two men born in 1971 and 1986. They were taken care of and airlifted with “several traumas including a cranial one”, specifies the public prosecutor. Finally, a fourth runner, more slightly injured, was transported to Sallanches hospital.
“A mountainous area made slippery”
The start of the Ultra-trail was given this Friday at 11:45 p.m. in Samoëns. The accident alert was triggered during the night, around 4:35 a.m. after the fall of four participants “in a mountainous area made slippery by the weather conditions”, specifies the public prosecutor.
A man, born in 1972, died on the spot of cardiorespiratory arrest. “The exact reasons for his death will be determined by the autopsy that was required,” he adds.
All races were stopped or canceled, the magistrate said. An investigation was opened on charges of “searching for the causes of death and endangering the lives of others”.
It was entrusted to the Bonneville Research Brigade with the support of the PGHM of Chamonix “in order to shed light on the precise circumstances of these accidents and establish or rule out possible criminal liability”.
