Dhe runners set off on the evening of Friday June 14 to take part in the Ultra-Trail du Haut-Giffre (UTHG) events. During the night, around 4 a.m., several of them found themselves in difficulty, in a very steep place, requiring the intervention of public emergency services. The fog and rain prevented the rapid intervention of civil security helicopters, which finally took off around 10 a.m.
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. Another runner, born in 1986, was airlifted to Annecy hospital; he suffered head trauma and pelvic trauma. His vital prognosis would not be compromised. A second injured person, born in 1971, was airlifted to CHAL; he suffered from head trauma and shoulder trauma. His vital prognosis would not be compromised. Finally, a man, born in 1976, was evacuated to Sallanches, he suffered from slight head trauma. Other participants were treated for lighter injuries and hypothermia.
All races canceled
Due to the weather conditions, some of the most difficult races were canceled by the organizers. According to a participant, only the 120 kilometer and 96 kilometer races started last night with good weather. During the night, the weather conditions deteriorated significantly and forced the organization to stop the 50 kilometer and 30 kilometer races. Early this morning, the organizers communicated on the race’s Facebook account. “The UTLAC and UTHG races are stopped. The Frahans trails and the Tour de Bostan are canceled. The organization is doing its best to provide you with more information early this afternoon once the repatriations have been completed. »
More than 4,100 runners on the starting line of the Ultra-Trail du Haut-Giffre
More than 4,100 runners were on the starting line for one or other of the six routes designed and marked by the Samoëns trail events association. Among these was the latest Ultra Tour des Lacs aux Cimes. “Our courses are intended to be demanding in terms of the qualities necessary to overcome them: snowy passages, steep slopes, aerial trails, shale, rock, etc. The Haut-Giffre Ultra-Trail turns out to be one of the steepest on the official calendar. It therefore requires top physical condition,” warned the race manager, David Justo.
Investigation into the causes of death entrusted to the Bonneville Research Brigade
According to the public prosecutor, Karline Bouisset, an investigation has been opened into the charges of “searching for the causes of death and endangering the lives of others” entrusted to the Bonneville Research Brigade with the support of the Peleton of high mountain gendarmerie (PGHM) of Chamonix in order to shed light on the precise circumstances of these accidents and establish or rule out possible criminal liability.
